Sudan's army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan hailed US President Donald Trump's declared intention to work towards ending the civil war, but refrained from saying he would accept a truce after he pledged to continue fighting.
After Mr Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met at the White House in Washington, Massad Boulos, senior adviser to Mr Trump on Africa, said the US was “committed to ending the horrific conflict” in Sudan, before adding: “We are working with our partners to facilitate a humanitarian truce."
In response, Gen Al Burhan, Sudan's de facto leader, wrote on X: "The government of Sudan welcomes the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America to bring about a fair and just peace in Sudan.
"The government thanks them for their continuing interest and efforts to end the Sudanese bloodshed and assures them of its readiness to seriously engage with them to realise the peace that Sudanese people expect."
Gen Al Burhan's warm welcome of President Trump's remarks contrasts sharply with his repeated assertions, including those made last weekend, that he has no intention of negotiating with the army's war rival, the Rapid Support Forces, and will continue fighting until the RSF is defeated.
Osman Al Mirghany, a prominent Sudanese analyst, said: "His response to Trump's comments was surprisingly very quick. It came just minutes after the American president spoke.
US President Donald Trump met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Washington. Bloomberg
"Al Burhan has a habit of responding positively to mediation offers only to be found out later that he was buying time or not taking follow-up steps," said Mr Al Mirghany, who believes the US President's remarks did not suggest a separate American-Saudi mediation.
Instead, he said Mr Trump's comments meant he would become more involved personally in the mediation effort already launched by his administration in collaboration with three of Washington's closest Arab allies: Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The four nations in September proposed a three-month humanitarian truce to be followed by a long-term ceasefire and a civilian-led government that shepherds a transition process to restore democratic rule.
The RSF, led by Gen Al Burhan's one-time ally Gen Mohamad Dagalo, has accepted the plan.
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