Sudan military agrees El Fasher ceasefire for aid.
Sudan’s military has agreed to a United Nations-proposed weeklong ceasefire in El Fasher, aimed at facilitating the distribution of humanitarian aid. However, no additional details have been disclosed regarding the specific terms of the agreement. It remains unclear when the ceasefire will officially come into effect or what mechanisms will be in place to ensure its enforcement. The announcement comes amid ongoing conflict in the region, where thousands of civilians remain in desperate need of assistance. The lack of clarity surrounding the ceasefire’s implementation raises concerns about whether aid can be delivered safely and effectively to those most affected.
The announcement was made by the Sudanese army on Friday, following a phone conversation between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sudanese military leader Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan.
During the call, Guterres urged Burhan to agree to a temporary humanitarian truce in El Fasher, which has seen escalating violence and worsening humanitarian conditions in recent months. Burhan reportedly agreed to the ceasefire proposal and emphasized the importance of implementing relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. However, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rival paramilitary group locked in conflict with the army, have not yet confirmed whether they will abide by the ceasefire.
“We are making contacts with both sides with that objective, and that was the fundamental reason for that phone contact,” Guterres said in a press briefing on Friday.
No further details have been disclosed regarding the exact terms of the ceasefire, including its start date, monitoring mechanisms, or enforcement provisions. This lack of clarity raises concerns about the practical viability of delivering aid under current conditions.
Sudan has been gripped by war since April 2023, when tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF escalated into full-scale battles, initially centered in the capital Khartoum but rapidly spreading nationwide.
El Fasher, located over 800 kilometers southwest of Khartoum, remains a critical flashpoint in the conflict. The city is under military control, but the RSF has been attempting to seize it to secure dominance over the entire Darfur region. Their efforts have included multiple assaults on the city and attacks on two major displacement camps near its outskirts, which are already suffering from acute food shortages.
UNICEF estimates that more than 61,800 children have been internally displaced since the war began. Guterres stressed that for aid to be effectively distributed, a truce must be agreed upon several days in advance to ensure safe passage and proper logistical preparations.