Sudanese Army Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has agreed to a United Nations proposal for a one-week humanitarian ceasefire in El Fasher, the last major city in Darfur not under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The agreement was reached during a phone call between General Burhan and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. Burhan emphasized the importance of implementing existing U.N. Security Council decisions regarding the Sudanese conflict, according to a statement from his office.
El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has witnessed intense clashes since April 2024, as RSF units tightened their grip around the city. The ongoing siege has led to a growing humanitarian crisis, with civilians facing critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Airdrops by the army were halted in April after one of its cargo planes was downed.
Darfur region Governor Minni Arko Minawi, who aligns with the national army, welcomed the ceasefire and reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to allowing humanitarian access. He called on international aid organizations to resume operations and urged the RSF to stop attacks on civilian areas and aid convoys.
The United Nations has warned of deteriorating conditions in El Fasher and the risk of further regional destabilization if fighting continues. During the call, Guterres also expressed support for Burhan’s recent appointment of Kamil Idris as Prime Minister. Idris is the first person named to the post since Abdalla Hamdok stepped down in early 2022.
While some political groups have voiced concerns that recent developments could consolidate military dominance, others view the humanitarian truce as a possible entry point for renewed negotiations.
The situation in El Fasher remains tense, but humanitarian actors hope the pause in fighting will allow much-needed aid to reach the civilian population trapped by the conflict.