US Proposes 90-Day Truce as Sudan Conflict Deepens
Washington urges a 90-day pause in fighting, but warring factions in Sudan continue to prioritize battlefield gains over diplomatic solutions.
Key points
- The US has committed $375 million to Sudan and is pushing for a 90-day humanitarian truce.
- Previous ceasefires, including the Jeddah Declaration, have collapsed due to violations by both warring factions.
- The conflict has displaced 14 million people, with the UN warning the humanitarian system is near collapse.
The United States has renewed calls for a 90-day humanitarian truce in Sudan, aiming to secure access for emergency aid amid a deteriorating crisis. According to Al Jazeera, these diplomatic efforts face significant obstacles as warring factions continue to prioritize military momentum over mediation.
Fighting has intensified in recent months, with the United Nations warning that the country's humanitarian system is on the brink of collapse. Despite repeated attempts by international actors to broker temporary pauses, local ceasefires have frequently broken down within hours of implementation.
Diplomatic efforts face repeated setbacks
Previous initiatives, including the Jeddah Declaration mediated by the US and Saudi Arabia, have collapsed after both sides violated their terms. Regional bodies such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development have also struggled to sustain truces, suggesting that political survival often outweighs humanitarian needs.
Washington has significantly increased its engagement through the ALPS initiative in Geneva, committing $375 million to humanitarian efforts. US Senior Advisor Massad Boulos has stated that there is no military solution to the conflict, yet the warring parties remain focused on territorial control.
Military claims complicate peace prospects
The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have both claimed recent victories in different regions, including South Kordofan and Blue Nile state. Analysts suggest that these competing narratives of success make a peaceful outcome increasingly difficult to achieve, as neither side appears willing to concede ground.
Sudanese academic Fathi Abu Ammar argues that the military leadership is deliberately stalling negotiations to maintain its grip on power. This perspective highlights a fundamental disconnect between the diplomatic goals of international mediators and the strategic objectives of the warring commanders.
Humanitarian crisis continues to expand
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has displaced 14 million people and expanded to 13 of Sudan’s 18 states. Aid groups urge immediate truces to alleviate starvation and improve shelter conditions, but the continued intensity of fighting threatens to overwhelm already strained relief systems.
As the US pushes for a new framework, the situation on the ground remains volatile. The next critical test will be whether the warring factions can agree to localized pauses, or if the cycle of failed truces will continue to deepen the humanitarian emergency.
