Rapid Support Forces announce a three-month humanitarian truce... Al-Burhan rejects the Quartet's initiative.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups

The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan announced on Monday a unilateral ceasefire for three months, a move they said comes in response to international efforts, led by the initiative of US President Donald Trump and the efforts of the "Quad" countries. The commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), said in a recorded speech that the truce includes "a complete cessation of hostilities and agreement to form an international mechanism to monitor its implementation," stressing his forces' commitment to holding accountable all those involved in violations against civilians, and engaging in the political process with the exception of the "Islamic Movement." In contrast, the Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Army, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, stressed his rejection of any settlement that maintains the presence of the Rapid Support Forces or returns them to the political scene during the transitional phase or the future of Sudan. He launched a scathing attack on the US President's advisor for Arab and African affairs, Mosaad Boulos, accusing him of bias towards the Rapid Support Forces and trying to impose solutions that affect the military establishment. Al-Burhan described the proposal of the "International Quartet" - which includes the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt - as "the worst paper" presented to Sudan, because it "cancels the role of the armed forces and maintains the positions of the Rapid Support Forces," announcing his categorical rejection of the roadmap it presented, and stressing that the presence of the UAE within the group "makes the initiative non-neutral." Al-Burhan also attacked both Hemedti and former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, stressing that "they will have no role in the future of Sudan." He affirmed that the war against the Rapid Support Forces is a "fateful battle" for the Sudanese, rejecting what he described as "half-solutions," and considering the Quartet formula "an explicit call for the division of the country." Al-Burhan praised the position of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his initiative to speak with President Trump about the war in Sudan, explaining that the step "conveyed a realistic picture" to the US administration. For its part, the United Arab Emirates criticized Al-Burhan's rejection of the American peace proposal. The UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy, said that Al-Burhan "continues to reject ceasefire initiatives and is showing obstructive behavior that must be clearly pointed out." These developments come at a time when international moves are increasing to stop the ongoing war in Sudan, amid sharp differences between the army and the Rapid Support Forces regarding the features of the transitional phase and the future of security arrangements.