No end to fighting despite paramilitaries backing truce

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.

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

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 Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.

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

The Sudanese army, meanwhile, has received support from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tiirkiye and Iran, according to observers. Now, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt are backing a proposed ceasefire.

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