Sudan paramilitary group backs truce but strife persists

Govt yet to respond to US-led international mediators as explosions rock capital

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An end to fighting in Sudan still seems far off despite the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), fighting the army for more than two years, endorsing a truce proposal.

The government, backed by the army, has yet to respond to US-led international mediators, and explosions rocked the army-controlled capital Khartoum on Nov 7.

Experts express doubt about whether the RSF is truly ready to implement a truce, and warn it is, in fact, preparing an offensive to capture the city of El-Obeid in the south.

But the conflict may nevertheless be at a turning point.

Fighting has raged since April 2023, pitting the forces of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against those of his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is accused by the UN of supplying arms to the RSF, allegations it has repeatedly denied.

The Sudanese army, meanwhile, has received support from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran, according to observers.

Now, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are backing a proposed ceasefire.

Here is what we know after two years and almost seven months of a war that has killed tens of thousands, displaced nearly 12 million and triggered a hunger crisis.

Less than two weeks ago, the RSF captured El-Fasher, the army’s last major stronghold in western Darfur.

The takeover was accompanied by reports of mass killings, sexual violence and looting, triggering international condemnation.