A senior general from Sudan’s military has rejected the possibility of a ceasefire during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan unless the paramilitary group it is engaged in conflict with vacates civilian and public areas. Yasser al-Atta, a deputy commander of the army, made this statement following the army’s claimed advancements in Omdurman, a district of the capital, Khartoum.
This comes after the United Nations Security Council called for a ceasefire during Ramadan. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) expressed willingness to adhere to the ceasefire. However, Atta’s statement, released on the army’s official Telegram channel, emphasized that there could be no ceasefire unless the RSF fulfills a commitment made last May to withdraw from civilian premises and public sites.
Atta also stated that there should be no involvement of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF leader known as Hemedti, or his family in Sudan’s future politics or military. The ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF began in mid-April 2023 amid tensions over a transition to civilian rule. The conflict has resulted in widespread devastation, including ethically driven killings in Darfur and mass displacement. Despite international efforts to broker ceasefires, the fighting continues, exacerbating humanitarian crises and raising concerns about war crimes.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also urged for a Ramadan truce, but implementing such a ceasefire remains challenging. Sudan’s foreign ministry has suggested that for a ceasefire to be feasible, the RSF must withdraw from various regions, including Darfur, where it holds significant control.