WASHINGTON — U.S. adviser for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos told the United Nations that Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has rejected an updated ceasefire proposal for a second time, dealing another setback to international efforts aimed at ending Sudan’s more than three-year conflict.
Speaking during discussions on the Sudan crisis, Boulos said the revised proposal sought to establish a humanitarian ceasefire, facilitate the delivery of urgently needed aid, and create conditions for broader negotiations between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to Boulos, the proposal was developed following consultations with regional and international partners and was intended to address concerns previously raised by the warring parties. However, he said Burhan declined the initiative despite revisions designed to advance negotiations and alleviate the suffering of civilians trapped by the conflict.
The Sudanese military leadership has repeatedly expressed reservations about international peace initiatives. Burhan has argued that several proposals fail to address what he describes as the core issue of the conflict—the presence of RSF forces in civilian areas and key urban centers. Sudanese officials have maintained that any ceasefire arrangement must include guarantees for the withdrawal of RSF fighters before a political process can move forward.
The RSF has previously accused the military of obstructing peace efforts and prolonging the war through military offensives. The two sides have exchanged blame for the collapse of numerous ceasefire agreements and mediation initiatives since fighting erupted in April 2023.
The conflict began after tensions between the SAF and the RSF escalated into open warfare in the capital, Khartoum, before spreading across much of the country. The fighting has devastated infrastructure, crippled public services, and displaced millions of people from their homes.
The United Nations has described Sudan as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions requiring emergency assistance and large parts of the country facing severe food insecurity. Aid organizations have repeatedly warned that continued fighting is preventing the delivery of humanitarian supplies to vulnerable populations.
Diplomatic efforts led by the United States, the African Union, the United Nations, and regional actors have so far failed to secure a lasting ceasefire. Multiple rounds of talks have ended without a comprehensive agreement, while both sides continue military operations on several fronts.
Boulos urged Sudan’s rival leaders to place the interests of civilians above military objectives and return to negotiations. He stressed that a political solution remains the only viable path toward restoring stability and preventing further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
Neither Sudanese authorities nor the SAF immediately commented on Boulos’s latest remarks. The RSF also did not issue an immediate response.
The latest development highlights the continuing challenges facing international mediators as they seek to end a conflict that has destabilized Sudan and raised concerns about wider regional security and humanitarian consequences.
