South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that a seven-day ceasefire agreement has been reached from May 4 to May 11 between Abdelfatah al Burhan, the head of Sudan’s Armed Forces and chair of the Sovereign Council, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces. The pause marks the longest humanitarian respite since the conflict began on April 15 and aims to create space for aid delivery and civilian protection amid ongoing fighting.
Abdelfatah al Burhan, who also leads the country’s military leadership, and Dagalo publicly backed the seven-day truce as a framework to reduce violence. The announcement was relayed through the official Facebook account of South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscoring the regional role in seeking a pause that could expand access for civilians and international aid workers.
A 72-hour ceasefire had expired the day prior, the third consecutive pause, designed to facilitate the evacuation of foreigners and Sudanese citizens fleeing combat in Khartoum and other volatile areas, including Darfur. The pauses reflect a pattern of fragile truces intended to ease movement for evacuees and humanitarian convoys even as fighting continues.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, who oversees mediation efforts within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), urged the rival parties to appoint representatives and propose a start date for substantive negotiations. His call aligns with regional concerns about deteriorating humanitarian conditions and the risk of further displacement across northern and western Sudan.
In a detailed public statement, South Sudan confirmed that both sides had agreed to appoint their negotiators and to meet at a location chosen by the mediators. The wording signals a readiness for talks that could shift from temporary truces to a formal peace process, though no location has been finalized.
Volker Perthes, the special envoy for the United Nations mission in Sudan, indicated in various interviews that the parties tentatively agreed to enter negotiations. He suggested that talks could be held in Saudi Arabia or South Sudan, while noting a preference from some participants for direct face-to-face meetings between leaders before any broader discussions proceed, a factor that could influence the pace and tone of diplomacy.
One of the Sudanese representatives, Dafa Allah al Haj Ali, speaking from Cairo, stated that there would be no direct negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, which he described in harsh terms. The comment highlights the lingering mistrust between the sides and the sensitivity surrounding terms of engagement and recognition within a potential peace framework.
Since the onset of the conflict, health authorities have recorded significant casualties and injuries, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Official figures show more than 528 people killed and over 4,500 wounded amid the fighting, a stark reminder of the humanitarian toll and the urgent need for safe corridors and civilian protection. The data emphasize why international mediation and sustained humanitarian access remain critical components of any lasting settlement.
Amid the shifting diplomatic weather, regional and international actors continue to monitor conditions on the ground. The international community, including the United Nations and multiple donor nations, has pressed for unimpeded humanitarian access and a disciplined ceasefire to prevent further displacement and to safeguard civilian lives. Analysts note that while truces can offer immediate relief, the ultimate goal is a negotiated political settlement that addresses the underlying grievances fueling the conflict and lays the groundwork for a stable, inclusive government.
The environment around the negotiations remains complex. Aligned regional interests, competition for influence, and the strategic importance of Sudan’s resources add layers of complication. Nevertheless, the unfolding diplomacy demonstrates a degree of flexibility among the principal actors and a willingness to pursue a diplomatic track, even if the details of implementation require careful calibration and ongoing international oversight. In the coming days, the world will watch closely as representatives are named, talks are organized, and the questions of security, governance, and humanitarian access are addressed in earnest.