On Saturday, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group extended a warm welcome to the United Nations Security Council’s call for a cessation of hostilities during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The potential pause in the 11-month-old conflict, as Ramadan is set to begin on Sunday evening, is seen as a hopeful development.
In a statement, the RSF expressed optimism that the Security Council resolution would have a significant impact by alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, particularly through the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. The RSF also sees this as a step towards initiating a political process that could ultimately lead to a permanent ceasefire.
The conflict, which erupted on April 15, 2023, involves the Sudanese army and the RSF. According to the United Nations, nearly 25 million people in Sudan, equivalent to half of the country’s population, are in need of aid. Approximately 8 million individuals have been displaced, and the specter of hunger is on the rise. The United States has accused the warring parties of committing war crimes.
The Security Council, on Friday, adopted a resolution proposed by Britain, calling for a cessation of hostilities during Ramadan. The resolution received 14 votes in favor, with Russia abstaining. However, the practical implementation mechanism for the resolution remains unclear.
Sudan’s RSF Welcomes UN Call for Ramadan Ceasefire
Sudan’s UN ambassador, Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed, conveyed on Thursday that the president of the country’s transitional council appreciated the appeal by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for a Ramadan truce. However, he also indicated that there are uncertainties about how to execute the ceasefire.
In response to the proposed humanitarian ceasefire, the RSF, in its Saturday statement, expressed readiness to engage in discussions regarding the establishment of mutually agreed-upon monitoring mechanisms. This move by the RSF signals a potential willingness to cooperate in ensuring the success of the UN’s efforts to bring relief to the Sudanese people during Ramadan.
