Sudan's RSF Agrees to U.S.-Backed Humanitarian Ceasefire Amidst Deepening Crisis

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan announced on Thursday, November 6, 2025, their agreement to a U.S.-backed proposal for a humanitarian ceasefire. This significant development aims to halt over two years of devastating conflict with the Sudanese military, as reported by Reuters.

The truce, brokered by a U.S.-led group known as the "Quad" which includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, seeks to deliver urgent relief. Its immediate focus is on hundreds of thousands of civilians facing catastrophic famine, particularly in the besieged city of El Fasher, according to semafor.

This agreement comes just over a week after the RSF seized El Fasher, the last major stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the Darfur region, following an 18-month siege. The fall of the city has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation, as noted by The Guardian.

Sudan's civil war has tragically created the world's largest humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and pushing vast populations to the brink of starvation. UN agencies have repeatedly warned about the escalating suffering across the nation, with over 30 million people in urgent need of assistance, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Despite the RSF's agreement, the Sudanese military has not yet officially responded to the proposal, and past ceasefire attempts have largely failed to hold. UN human rights chief Volker Türk expressed deep concern on Friday, November 7, that "abominable atrocities" are likely continuing in El Fasher, even with reports of a truce.

The U.S.-led plan reportedly envisions a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a nine-month political process aimed at achieving a more lasting peace. This framework hopes to pave the way for a transition to civilian rule, semafor reported.

The urgent need for aid delivery is underscored by the confirmed famine conditions in El Fasher and Kadugli, with over 21 million Sudanese facing acute food insecurity. Islamic Relief warned on November 5 that 96% of El Fasher residents are going to bed hungry, highlighting the critical situation.

• Background and Genesis of the Conflict: The civil war in Sudan erupted on April 15, 2023, stemming from a fierce power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and General Mohamed "Hemedti" Dagalo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict followed escalating disputes over the integration of the RSF into the regular army after a 2021 military coup, as detailed by Britannica. The RSF itself evolved from the Janjaweed militias, which were previously utilized by the government during the Darfur conflict.

• Scale of the Humanitarian Catastrophe: The conflict has plunged Sudan into one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with staggering human costs. Over 150,000 people have been killed, and more than 12 million have been displaced, making it the largest displacement crisis globally, according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The UN reports that over 30 million people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, facing widespread sexual violence, ethnic cleansing allegations, and attacks on civilian infrastructure.

• The Fall and Plight of El Fasher: El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, was the last major stronghold of the SAF in the region before its capture by the RSF in late October 2025, following an 18-month siege. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) reported on November 4 that hundreds of thousands were trapped, enduring brutal attacks and starvation tactics. Since its fall, UN experts have expressed alarm over reports of mass killings, rape, summary executions, and ethnically motivated violence, with over 81,000 people fleeing the city since October 26, according to unICEF.

• International Mediation and Challenges: The current ceasefire proposal, spearheaded by the U.S. and supported by Arab powers including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, aims for a three-month humanitarian truce. However, previous ceasefire attempts throughout the 2.5-year conflict have consistently failed, as noted by CBC News. The Sudanese army's lack of immediate public commitment to this latest proposal, coupled with ongoing reports of hostilities, presents significant challenges to its successful implementation and sustainability.

• Famine and Food Insecurity: Famine conditions have been officially confirmed in El Fasher and Kadugli, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report from November 4 indicating that over 21 million people across Sudan are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. CARE's Chief Humanitarian Officer, Deepmala Mahla, stated that families are resorting to boiling leaves for sustenance, underscoring the extreme desperation. The UN warns that without immediate intervention, tens of thousands more could perish by early 2026.

• Accountability and International Response: The international community has expressed grave concerns over the atrocities committed. The UN Security Council held an emergency session on October 30, 2025, condemning the violence in El Fasher, according to a report from the European Union. Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court are actively collecting evidence of alleged war crimes, including mass killings and sexual violence. Amnesty International has called for an end to external military assistance, specifically urging the United Arab Emirates to cease alleged weapon supplies to the RSF, which the UAE denies.

• Potential Future Developments and Risks: The proposed three-month truce is intended as a precursor to a nine-month political process aimed at establishing a permanent ceasefire and a transition to civilian governance. However, the UN Human Rights Office warned on November 7 of "clear preparations for intensified hostilities" and a mounting risk of further ethnically motivated violations. The success of this initiative hinges on genuine commitment from both warring factions and robust international monitoring to ensure aid access and civilian protection.