Explained: Why Sudan army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan rejected US proposal to end fighting

New Delhi:  In a move that casts a deepening shadow over prospects for peace in war-torn Sudan, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has rejected a ceasefire proposal. Burhan called the United Arab Emirates's  (UAE) involvement in the proposal, mediated by a coalition including the United States, "unacceptable"  and pointed to the alleged bias of the UAE in the truce deal. 

Addressing senior military and security officials in a statement released on Sunday, al-Burhan branded the proposal from the "Quad" group, comprising the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, as "the worst one" presented so far. He accused the UAE of actively supporting the rival Rapis Support Forces (RSF), thereby compromising the neutrality and credibility of the entire mediation effort. 

"The entire world has witnessed the UAE’s support for rebels against the Sudanese state," al-Burhan asserted, warning that if the mediation continues in this direction, it would be viewed as "biased mediation," Al-Jazeera reported.

This accusation echoes widespread reports that the UAE has been arming and funding the RSF, allegedly prolonging the conflict to secure its own regional interests and access to Sudan's rich gold and mineral resources.

"We’re not warmongers, and we don’t reject peace,” al-Burhan said, "but no one can threaten us or dictate terms.”

A proposal deemed "Unacceptable"

Beyond the UAE's role, al-Burhan detailed specific structural flaws within the ceasefire plan that rendered it "unacceptable" to the SAF. He vehemently argued that the proposal would "effectively eliminate the existence of the armed forces and … the dissolution of all security agencies" while, critically, allowing the "rebellious militia (RSF) to maintain its positions."

For any truce to be considered, al-Burhan insisted, the RSF must first retreat from its current occupied territories and be confined to designated areas. This core demand highlights the SAF's refusal to legitimise the RSF's gains or allow them to integrate into a new political structure from a position of strength.

Selective diplomatic scrutiny

While singling out the UAE for its alleged complicity with the RSF, al-Burhan also directed criticism towards a senior US envoy, Massad Boulos. He accused Boulos of becoming an "obstacle to peace" by making allegations that the SAF was obstructing humanitarian aid and even using chemical weapons, claims al-Burhan dismissed as baseless.

At the same time, the SAF chief offered praise for US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who recently raised the Sudanese conflict during a trip to Washington, advocating for serious efforts to end it. This selective engagement shows Burhan's strategic approach to international mediators, accepting those he perceives as sympathetic while rejecting others deemed hostile or compromised.

Humanitarian crisis deepens as RSF welcomes truce

In stark contrast to al-Burhan's firm rejection, the RSF had earlier indicated its agreement to the Quad proposal, citing its potential to address the "catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the war." The plan reportedly envisioned a three-month truce designed to pave the way for a lasting political solution and the eventual establishment of a civilian government in a country plagued by military coups.

Satellite images show evidence of mass burnings and burials

However, the RSF's professed humanitarian concern comes amid continued reports of horrific atrocities. Satellite images from Darfur, particularly following the RSF's capture of el-Fasher last month, have shown evidence of mass burnings and burials, raising fears of concealed mass killings.

Thousands remain missing, and international organisations report widespread instances of mass rape. Sporadic battles also rage in the central Kordofan region, with the RSF vowing to capture the strategic city of Babnusa.

What triggered the war in Sudan?

The conflict, started in April 2023 by a brutal power struggle between the military and the RSF, has plunged Sudan into unprecedented chaos. UN figures indicate over 40,000 fatalities, a number aid groups suggest is a significant undercount. With al-Burhan's steadfast refusal to compromise on the fundamental issues of SAF integrity and the perceived bias of key mediators, the path to a peaceful resolution appears increasingly distant for the suffering nation.