• Sudan's military has approved a seven-day ceasefire in El-Fasher.
• The ceasefire aims to allow humanitarian aid delivery amid escalating violence.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres initiated the ceasefire request.
• Since April 2023, over 20,000 people have died due to the conflict.
• The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have not yet commented on the ceasefire.

Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has agreed to a seven-day humanitarian ceasefire in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, to facilitate the delivery of much-needed aid. This decision follows a phone conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, emphasizing the need to uphold relevant UN Security Council resolutions. However, the specific start date for the ceasefire has yet to be announced, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have not issued a response regarding the agreement, according to aa and africanews.

The ceasefire is deemed necessary as El-Fasher has witnessed intensified clashes between Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since May 10, 2024. The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 24,000 deaths and has displaced approximately 14 million people, exacerbating humanitarian crises including famine and cholera outbreaks. Guterres labeled the situation as "dramatic," reiterating that a truce is vital for effective aid distribution, as all parties need time to prepare for such operations, according to aa and trtglobal.

Despite Burhan's agreement to the ceasefire, the situation remains precarious as the RSF seeks control over El-Fasher to consolidate its influence across Darfur. The city's strategic importance for humanitarian operations adds to the urgency of implementing the ceasefire. Meanwhile, the UN continues to engage both sides to ensure compliance with the truce in hopes of averting further catastrophe for the civilians caught in the conflict, according to aa, africanews, and trtglobal.