KHARTOUM: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have expressed appreciation to former U.S. President Donald Trump for his diplomatic push to mediate peace in the country’s ongoing civil conflict. However, the army reaffirmed that it will continue its military operations, asserting that “defending the nation remains a sovereign duty.”
In a televised statement following a high-level meeting of the Security and Defence Council, Defence Minister Hassan Kabroun announced that while Sudan welcomes Washington’s efforts to restore stability, the army’s commitment to “protecting national unity and defeating rebellion” remains unchanged.
The remarks come amid a U.S.-brokered initiative proposing a temporary humanitarian truce between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — a paramilitary group that has seized key territories across Sudan, including parts of Darfur and Khartoum. The ceasefire plan aims to allow humanitarian aid into besieged areas, where food, water, and medical supplies are running dangerously low.
Despite the SAF’s cautious welcome of the truce proposal, its leadership made it clear that the military will not halt its operations against what it terms “armed insurgents.” Observers interpret this dual stance as an attempt by the army to appear diplomatically cooperative on the international stage while maintaining control of the battlefield.
The ongoing war, now entering its third year, has displaced over eight million civilians and left thousands dead. The conflict has destroyed major cities, triggered a humanitarian catastrophe, and created one of the world’s worst refugee crises. International mediators — including the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Egypt — have been urging both sides to commit to a sustained peace process, warning that the country is teetering on the brink of collapse.
While Washington and its regional allies continue to press for a roadmap to end hostilities, ground realities suggest little optimism. Both factions remain heavily armed and entrenched, with deep mistrust and competing ambitions preventing meaningful progress toward peace.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.