Rapid Support Forces announce three-month humanitarian truce in Sudan

RSF commander Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti)./HANDOUT

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced a three-month humanitarian truce, in a move aimed at protecting civilians and facilitating the delivery of aid, according to a statement issued by the group on Monday.

In a speech addressing the Sudanese public, RSF commander Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) said the truce is a response to the initiative of US President Donald Trump and the efforts of the Quartet countries—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United States, and Britain—alongside the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union.

Hemedti described the current moment as “one of the most critical” and called for responsibility and courage from all parties, emphasizing that the conflict has severely affected civilians and that stopping the bloodshed is an urgent duty.

The RSF outlined six key points in its statement, including the immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and facilitation of humanitarian aid.

The statement also emphasized securing aid workers’ movements, protecting headquarters and warehouses of humanitarian organisations, enabling medical teams to operate freely, and cooperating with the United Nations.

Additionally, the RSF approved the establishment of a field monitoring mechanism supervised by the Quartet and IGAD countries to ensure implementation of the truce and transparent reporting on any violations against civilians.

Hemedti stressed that accountability for such violations would follow national and international laws.

The statement linked the truce to a broader political process and called for the exclusion of certain groups from future political participation, specifically citing the “terrorist Islamic movement” and the National Congress Party, describing them as responsible for decades of unrest in Sudan.

RSF also urged the international community to support the truce, participate in monitoring, foster confidence-building, and provide urgent humanitarian assistance. Hemedti concluded by reaffirming that the RSF is committed to peace and the protection of the Sudanese people.

In parallel, Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan delivered a speech on Monday in response to the Trump initiative, reiterating a stance against negotiation and partnership.

Some regional analysts say that the RSF’s unilateral announcement of a humanitarian truce could create a complex situation for Burhan, as the initiative has direct backing from international and regional stakeholders.

Observers note that the announcement by the RSF coincides with heightened international attention on Sudan and may influence diplomatic discussions and domestic expectations regarding the conflict and ongoing humanitarian efforts.