Sudan’s Sovereign Council President, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has approved a seven-day humanitarian ceasefire in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, amid ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The decision followed a phone call with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who urged a temporary truce to enable humanitarian aid delivery to civilians trapped by the violence.
The Sovereign Council confirmed Burhan’s approval in a statement on Friday, emphasizing the need to respect relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
However, the start date for the ceasefire was not disclosed, and the RSF has yet to respond.
Fighting in El-Fasher has intensified since May 10, 2024, turning the city — a key hub for humanitarian efforts in Darfur — into a battleground. Aid agencies warn that continued hostilities could worsen an already dire humanitarian situation.
Sudan has been engulfed in civil war since April 2023, when tensions between the military and the RSF erupted into full-scale conflict. Over 24,000 people have been killed, around 13 million displaced, and the country faces famine and a growing cholera outbreak. Both warring sides face accusations of committing war crimes.
