UN says RSF ceasefire announcement 'step in right direction,' awaits proof

​​​​​​​ISTANBUL

The UN cautiously welcomed a humanitarian ceasefire announcement Tuesday by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), saying it represents progress but requires verification through actions on the ground.

"The announcement of the three-month humanitarian ceasefire from the RSF is a step in the right direction, but importantly, the proof of sincerity will be that it must protect civilians, it must let aid in at scale and allow us to work independently," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"We will, of course, test that as we seek to reach as many people, as many Sudanese civilians," he added.

RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said Monday his forces agreed to an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, halting all hostile actions for three months.

The government called the unilateral truce "a blatant political maneuver," contrasting it with RSF ground assaults.

Since April 2023, the army and RSF have been locked in a war that has killed thousands and displaced millions, despite failed regional and international mediations.

Last month, the RSF seized El-Fasher, North Darfur's capital, and faced accusations of committing massacres against civilians from local and international rights groups.

Several ceasefire agreements have been reached since the conflict began, but repeated violations and mutual accusations led Washington and Riyadh to suspend mediation efforts.