Sudan's RSF Agrees to US-Backed Ceasefire Amidst Dire Humanitarian Crisis

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan announced on Thursday, November 6, 2025, their agreement to a US-backed humanitarian ceasefire proposal, aiming to halt the devastating two-and-a-half-year conflict with the Sudanese military. This significant development offers a glimmer of hope for millions of civilians trapped by the ongoing violence, according to reports from The Guardian and Democracy Now!.

The truce was brokered by a US-led group of mediators, often referred to as the "Quad," which includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as confirmed by Anadolu Agency. The RSF stated its readiness to implement the agreement and commence discussions on a cessation of hostilities and a political process for lasting peace.

However, the Sudanese military has not yet formally accepted the proposal. A senior army official informed the Associated Press that the military would only agree to a truce if RSF fighters withdraw from civilian areas and surrender heavy weapons, a condition previously demanded in peace efforts.

The agreement comes amidst a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, particularly in the city of El Fasher, North Darfur, where hundreds of thousands face famine. The RSF recently captured El Fasher on October 26, 2025, following an 18-month siege, a move that exacerbated an already dire situation, as reported by itvX and Semafor.

International observers and human rights groups have voiced skepticism, with some suggesting the RSF's agreement might be an attempt to deflect mounting criticism over alleged war crimes in El Fasher. The Guardian noted that satellite images reportedly showed RSF recruits hiding bodies in mass graves just hours before the ceasefire announcement.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk expressed profound concern on Friday, November 7, stating that "traumatised civilians are still trapped inside El Fasher and are being prevented from leaving." He feared that "abominable atrocities such as summary executions, rape and ethnically motivated violence are continuing within the city," according to un News.

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with over 30 million people in need of assistance and more than 11 million displaced, as highlighted by the Council on Foreign Relations and the International Rescue Committee. Famine conditions have been declared in several areas, including El Fasher, by UN-backed hunger monitors.

• Background to the Conflict: The war in Sudan began in April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). These two factions were once allies, collaborating to overthrow a civilian-led transitional government in 2021, but their rivalry for control over the nation's future ultimately erupted into open warfare, as detailed by ITV News.

• The Quad's Mediation Efforts: The US-led "Quad" group, comprising the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, has been instrumental in brokering this latest truce. This group had previously proposed a roadmap in September 2025, outlining a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire, and a nine-month transition period towards a civilian-led government, according to semafor and This Week in Peace.

• Humanitarian Catastrophe in El Fasher: The situation in El Fasher, North Darfur, has been particularly dire. After an 18-month siege, the RSF captured the city on October 26, 2025, which was the last stronghold of the SAF in Darfur. MedGlobal reported in October 2025 that over 260,000 civilians, including 130,000 children, were trapped under siege, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine.

• Allegations of War Crimes: The RSF faces widespread accusations of committing war crimes and atrocities, particularly during and after the capture of El Fasher. Reports from The Guardian and UN News cite ethnically motivated mass killings, sexual violence, and summary executions. The International Criminal Court has reportedly begun collecting evidence of these alleged crimes, underscoring the severity of the situation.

• International Reactions and Skepticism: While the ceasefire agreement offers a potential pause, there is significant international skepticism regarding its durability and the RSF's intentions. Analysts, as noted by The Guardian, suggest the agreement could be a strategic move by the RSF to mitigate international pressure and deflect attention from recent allegations of atrocities in Darfur. Past ceasefire attempts have frequently failed to hold, according to Sudan Tribune.

• The UAE's Controversial Role: The United Arab Emirates has been repeatedly accused by various sources, including The Guardian and Semafor, of being a principal backer of the RSF, allegedly supplying weapons and financial support. Despite the UAE's denials, UN reports and other evidence have been presented, leading to increased pressure on the Gulf state to contribute to a resolution of the crisis.

• Challenges to Implementation: The success of this ceasefire hinges on the Sudanese military's acceptance and genuine commitment from both sides. With the SAF demanding RSF withdrawal from civilian areas and disarmament, and explosions still reported near Khartoum on Friday, November 7, the path to a lasting peace remains fraught with challenges, as reported by CBS News and The Hindu.

• Long-Term Implications: The conflict has led to a de facto partition of Sudan, with the RSF controlling most of Darfur and Kordofan, while the SAF maintains control over the east and parts of Khartoum, according to steptoe and Critical Threats. The ongoing instability threatens regional security and has created one of the world's most acute humanitarian crises, with millions facing displacement and famine, as highlighted by the European Union Agency for Asylum.