The Sudanese army has declined a ceasefire proposal from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, insisting that no truce will be accepted until the siege on besieged cities is lifted.
This rejection comes as the army continues to make significant advances in the capital, recently seizing a key stronghold previously controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in northern Khartoum.
Tensions between Sudan’s military and the UAE have escalated, with the army accusing the Gulf nation of being the main financier and weapons supplier of the RSF—a claim the UAE has repeatedly denied.
“As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, a time of mercy and compassion, the UAE calls on all parties to honor this sacred period with a humanitarian ceasefire,” the UAE stated. However, the Sudanese army dismissed the appeal, emphasizing that no ceasefire would be accepted until all besieged areas are freed.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023 following escalating tensions between military leaders and the RSF. Since then, the war has claimed over 28,000 lives, displaced millions, and created a dire humanitarian crisis.
Famine is spreading across the country, with reports confirming its presence in at least five areas, including three camps for displaced people in Darfur. The Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) warned in December that five more areas in Darfur are projected to experience famine in the coming months. Aid organizations continue to struggle to reach the most vulnerable populations due to restricted access, particularly in Darfur.
The war has also triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis, forcing over 14 million people—about 30% of Sudan’s population—from their homes. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese refugees have fled to neighboring countries, including Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan, according to the United Nations.
As the conflict rages on, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with no immediate resolution in sight.
