Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) say they have agreed to a US proposal for a ceasefire.

The war began in April 2023 after the Sudanese army and RSF, then partners, clashed over plans to integrate.

The US said on Tuesday it was working with other nations to end the conflict.

It followed reports of mass killings during the fall of the city al-Fashir, which was captured by RSF.

It had been the army’s last holdout in the region of Darfur, making its capture a key milestone in the civil war.

That gave RSF de facto control of more than a quarter of the territory.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The United States has actively engaged in efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the terrible conflict in Sudan.”

The RSF is also open to talks on a cessation of hostilities, the statement added.

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‘Fundamental principles guiding the political process in Sudan’

The statement said: “The Rapid Support Forces also looks forward to implementing the agreement and immediately commencing discussions on the arrangements for a cessation of hostilities and the fundamental principles guiding the political process in Sudan.”

The Sudanese army did not immediately respond to the announcement.

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Previously the RSF and the Sudanese army had agreed to various ceasefire proposals during their two-and-a-half-year-old war, but none have succeeded.

The army-led Security and Defense Council met earlier this week but did not give a definitive answer to the proposal. Influential leaders and allies within the army expressed their disapproval.

A photo released by UNICEF shows displaced children and families from al-Fashir. (Mohammed Jammal/UNICEF via AP)
Image:
A photo released by UNICEF shows displaced children and families from al-Fashir. (Mohammed Jammal/UNICEF via AP)

Millions displaced

The US, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt had called in a three-month humanitarian truce in Sudan, to be followed by a permanent ceasefire.

According to witnesses, the RSF killed and abducted civilians during and after its al-Fashir capture.

Its leader had called on fighters to protect civilians and said violations would be prosecuted.

The devastating conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and sparked hunger across the country, also displacing millions of people.