On 20 May 2023, in Jeddah, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces sign, under Saudi and United States auspices, the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements.

The text follows the 11 May Jeddah Declaration on protecting civilians and seeks a one-week ceasefire for humanitarian aid after the conflict erupted on 15 April 2023.

The ceasefire was to take effect after 48 hours, on 22 May. Clashes continued; the deal was extended, then suspended by the mediators on 1 June after repeated violations.

The document commits the parties to international humanitarian law, aid corridors and talks toward a permanent end to hostilities.

Background: the rift between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) over integrating paramilitaries into the army and control of economic assets.

The official English text of the ceasefire agreement was issued by the U.S. Department of State on the signing day.

The Jeddah Agreement of 20 May 2023 remains the main humanitarian ceasefire attempt in the first month of Sudan’s civil war.

Image: Jeddah / Sudan; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Treaty of Jeddah (2023). Treaty text: Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements (State.gov).