TANZANIA – In a bid to bring an end to the prolonged conflict in Sudan, Prime Minister Kamil Idris has put forward a comprehensive peace plan aimed at resolving the fierce clash between Sudan’s military and a rival paramilitary group. However, the United States has made a strong appeal for both factions to heed the Trump administration’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council, Idris, who leads Sudan’s transitional civilian government, outlined his initiative which includes a ceasefire to be monitored by the United Nations, African Union, and Arab League. His proposal also demands the withdrawal of paramilitary forces from occupied areas, their relocation to supervised camps, and eventual disarmament.

The chaos in Sudan erupted in April 2023, when a power struggle between the national military and the influential Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated into widespread violence. The conflict has been marked by mass atrocities, including killings and rapes, driven by ethnic tensions. These acts have been classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity by both the United Nations and international human rights organizations.

Despite the prime minister’s earnest proposal, there is skepticism about its acceptance by the RSF, as it effectively grants the government forces a victory by stripping the paramilitary group of its military strength.

Idris emphasized to the U.N. Security Council that the peace proposal is a locally crafted solution, subtly distancing it from the externally supported truce endorsed by the U.S. and key regional mediators, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, collectively known as the Quad. He described the initiative as “homemade — not imposed on us,” highlighting the government’s desire for an internally driven resolution.

In early November, the Rapid Support Forces agreed to a humanitarian truce. At that time, a Sudanese military official told The Associated Press the army welcomed the Quad’s proposal but would only agree to a truce when the RSF completely withdraws from civilian areas and gives up their weapons — key provisions in the plan Idris put forward on Monday.

Idris said unless the paramilitary forces were confined to camps, a truce had “no chance for success.” He challenged the 15 members of the Security Council to back his proposal.

“This initiative can mark the moment when Sudan steps back from the edge and the international community — You! You! — stood on the right side of history,” the Sudanese prime minister said. He said the council should “be remembered not as a witness to collapse, but as a partner in recovery.”

U.S. deputy ambassador Jeffrey Bartos, who spoke to the council before Idris, said the Trump administration has offered a humanitarian truce as a way forward and “We urge both belligerents to accept this plan without preconditions immediately.”

Bartos said the Trump administration strongly condemns the horrific violence across Darfur and the Kordofan region — and the atrocities committed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, who must be held accountable.

UAE Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, a member of the Quad, said there is an immediate opportunity to implement the humanitarian truce and get aid to Sudanese civilians in desperate need.

“Lessons of history and present realities make it clear that unilateral efforts by either of the warring parties are not sustainable and will only prolong the war,” he warned.

Abushahab said a humanitarian truce must be followed by a permanent ceasefire “and a pathway towards civilian rule independent of the warring parties.”

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for political affairs Khaled Khiari reflected escalating council concerns about the Sudan war, which has been fueled by the continuing supply of increasingly sophisticated weapons.

He criticized unnamed countries that refuse to stop supplying weapons, and both government and paramilitary forces for remaining unwilling to compromise or de-escalate.

“While they were able to stop fighting to preserve oil revenues, they have so far failed to do the same to protect their population,” Khiari said. “The backers of both sides must use their influence to help stop the slaughter, not to cause further devastation.”

The devastating war in Sudan has killed more than 40,000 people according to U.N. figures, but aid groups say the true number could be many times higher. The conflict has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 14 million people displaced, disease outbreaks and famine spreading in parts of the country.