In Sudan, half a ceasefire is better than none

Sometimes an imperfect deal is better than no deal at all. On Sunday, the Sudanese Armed Forces rejected an international ceasefire proposal that would have halted further bloodshed in their war-torn country. However, this disappointing news was quickly followed by Monday’s announcement that the SAF’s main rival – the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces – had called a unilateral three-month truce. For Sudan’s long-suffering civilians, any respite is better than none.

The civil war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands and displaced over 14 million people. More than half Sudan's population face hunger and the country has been split between the army and the RSF. Both sides are to blame for the humanitarian crisis in the country

The UN Emergency Relief co-ordinator Tom Fletcher recently visited the country and warned that “the world has been painfully inactive in Sudan so far”; the time to get active is now. This week Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, said the Emirates – one of the Quad countries involved in working towards a peace deal – remains “gravely concerned by the conduct of both warring parties whose escalating military actions and continued refusal to facilitate humanitarian access are driving Sudan further into collapse”.

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Getting more aid to Sudan’s beleaguered population is critical to staving off that collapse. In a recorded video address, RSF commander Gen Mohamed Dagalo said his forces were committed to facilitating humanitarian operations. If that is the case, the UN and other international aid agencies should take the RSF at their word and act immediately to get supplies into Sudan.