A three-month nationwide ceasefire has been brokered in Sudan, marking a significant diplomatic development in the country’s protracted civil war. The agreement, mediated by an international coalition, comes as new and disturbing evidence emerges of mass civilian killings in the western region of Darfur.
The truce was accepted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. This move follows intense international pressure over the conduct of its fighters, who stand accused of systematic war crimes during the recent capture of the city of El Fasher. The ceasefire proposal was advanced by a group of nations including the United States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Analysts suggest the RSF’s agreement may be an effort to manage its international reputation. The announcement coincided with the release of satellite imagery reportedly showing the concealment of bodies in mass graves near El Fasher. Research groups monitoring the conflict allege the RSF has been engaged in organized efforts to dispose of the dead, digging trenches and pits for this purpose.
While the exact death toll remains unclear, reports from the ground indicate a catastrophic loss of civilian life, with estimates reaching into the tens of thousands. Witnesses have described fighters moving through residential areas, executing civilians and committing acts of sexual violence. Medical facilities have not been spared; one major hospital was reportedly attacked, leading to hundreds of deaths and the abduction of medical staff.
The path to a lasting peace remains uncertain. Sudan’s military-aligned government has previously signaled its intent to continue hostilities, casting doubt on whether the ceasefire will hold or lead to substantive negotiations. Plans are reportedly underway to bring both warring parties to the table in Saudi Arabia for talks aimed at a permanent settlement.
The ceasefire, while a potential humanitarian reprieve, unfolds against a backdrop of what investigators are calling one of the conflict’s most brutal chapters. International prosecutors have confirmed they are gathering evidence of alleged mass killings and other atrocities in El Fasher, underscoring the severe challenges facing any future reconciliation.