Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Sudan Adviser Warns US Ceasefire Plan Risks Partition
Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces have been fighting since April 2023.
The United States has suggested a 90-day pause in the fighting.
After that pause, the sides would negotiate an end to the war and a return to civilian rule.
An adviser to Sudan’s army leader says the plan could split Sudan into rival regions.
He compared this possible outcome to Libya’s division between competing administrations.
Sudan’s army-led authorities want the Rapid Support Forces to leave cities under international monitoring.
They also worry that the plan would allow the group to remain a military and political force.
The Rapid Support Forces has been trying to create a separate administration in western Sudan.
Its leader has said the group’s fighters plan to keep fighting.
A US proposal would establish a 90-day ceasefire, followed by negotiations to end Sudan’s war and resume civilian rule.
Amjad Farid, an adviser to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said the plan could produce a Libya-style partition.
Sudan’s army-led authorities want an internationally monitored withdrawal of the Rapid Support Forces from urban areas.
Farid said the proposal appears to preserve the Rapid Support Forces’ existence and political role, concerns the US has not addressed.
The Rapid Support Forces has been developing a parallel administration in Nyala, while its leader says fighters will continue the war.
- Who
- Sudan’s army-led authorities, the Rapid Support Forces, and US officials including Senior Advisor Massad Boulos.
- What
- The parties are disputing a US proposal for a 90-day ceasefire, negotiations, and a return to civilian rule.
- When
- The war began in April 2023; the adviser’s remarks were reported on September 30.
- Where
- The conflict is in Sudan; related diplomatic discussions involved New York and Washington, while the Rapid Support Forces has sought to establish a parallel government in Nyala.
- Why
- Sudan’s army-led authorities oppose the proposal in its current form because they fear it could preserve the Rapid Support Forces and lead to a de facto partition.
Sudan’s Army-Led Authorities
US Ceasefire Proposal
Effect on Sudan’s unity
Sudan’s Army-Led Authorities
The proposal could create a de facto partition resembling Libya’s rival eastern and western administrations.
US Ceasefire Proposal
The proposal is intended to pause the war, enable negotiations, and support a return to civilian rule.
Role of the Rapid Support Forces
Sudan’s Army-Led Authorities
The Rapid Support Forces should withdraw from urban areas under international monitoring, and its continued military and political role is unacceptable.
US Ceasefire Proposal
The US approach is viewed by Sudan’s adviser as accommodating the Rapid Support Forces’ continued existence and place in Sudan’s political future.
Diplomatic engagement
Sudan’s Army-Led Authorities
Sudan’s authorities submitted changes to the proposal, but say the United States appeared to ignore them.
US Ceasefire Proposal
The United States has pressed for acceptance of the proposal and says neither the Rapid Support Forces nor the armed forces represents legitimate constitutional governance.
- Proposed ceasefire
- A 90-day pause in fighting.
- Next step
- Negotiations to end the war and resume the move to civilian rule.
- Sudan’s requested change
- Internationally monitored withdrawal of the Rapid Support Forces from urban areas.
- Army adviser
- Amjad Farid, adviser to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on political and international affairs.
- Main concern
- The proposal could lead to a Libya-style partition and preserve the Rapid Support Forces’ political role.
- Parallel administration
- The Rapid Support Forces has been trying since last year to establish a government in Nyala, in western Darfur.
- US allegations
- The United States has accused the Rapid Support Forces of genocide and Sudan’s army of war crimes, including chemical-weapons use.