Sudan’s brutal 30-month war continues to escalate as Army chief Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan sharply criticized a new US-backed ceasefire proposal, calling it “the worst one presented.”
The plan — supported by international mediators including the United Arab Emirates — was intended to create a pathway for humanitarian access and begin the groundwork for political negotiations.
But instead of easing tensions, it has widened the diplomatic rift.
Al-Burhan Accuses Mediators of Bias
In a televised speech and statements released through Sudanese media, al-Burhan accused the mediators of favoring the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — the paramilitary group his army has been fighting since April 2023.
He claimed that the ceasefire proposal “ignored the realities on the ground” and put the military at a disadvantage.
The RSF, meanwhile, announced that it had accepted the ceasefire, placing the burden on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and adding more pressure on al-Burhan internationally.
The conflicting responses highlight the deep mistrust between the two sides — mistrust that has stalled every peace effort since the war began.
World’s Largest Humanitarian Crisis
What’s happening in Sudan is no longer just a regional conflict.
It has become the largest humanitarian crisis on the planet, surpassing even Gaza, Ukraine, and Syria in scale and displacement.
Key facts underline the severity:
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Tens of thousands have been killed since fighting erupted.
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Over 10 million people have been displaced — the highest displacement crisis globally.
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Entire cities, including Khartoum and El Geneina, have been destroyed.
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Humanitarian aid is blocked or severely restricted in many areas.
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Famine-like conditions are spreading, especially in Darfur and Khartoum State.
Even as the world’s attention shifts to other flashpoints, Sudan’s suffering grows deeper by the day.
Why the Ceasefire Failed — Again
Every ceasefire attempt since 2023 has collapsed — usually within hours.
This latest breakdown follows a familiar pattern:
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Lack of trust between SAF and RSF
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Foreign backing on both sides
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Competing interests among mediators
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Fragmented battlefield control
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No unified political body to implement or enforce agreements
Al-Burhan’s rejection signals that the SAF does not believe the international community is acting as a neutral broker.
Ordinary Sudanese Pay the Price
While leaders argue, civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden.
Families are trapped between frontlines, with no electricity, water, or food.
Hospitals are destroyed or occupied by armed groups.
Women and girls face widespread sexual violence.
Children are dying from malnutrition in camps that aid agencies cannot reach.
For many Sudanese, the ceasefire debate feels painfully distant — because survival has become a daily battle.
What Happens Next?
The rejection of the latest ceasefire plan means:
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Fighting is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
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International pressure on both SAF and RSF will increase.
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Mediators may attempt a revised proposal, but success is far from guaranteed.
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Humanitarian groups will continue demanding safe corridors amid near-impossible conditions.
The world is watching, but Sudanese civilians are still waiting — for peace, for safety, for basic dignity.
As the conflict enters its third year, one truth remains clear:
Sudan cannot afford another failed ceasefire.
Original East will continue tracking developments as the crisis unfolds
