Sudanese Army Rejects UAE’s Ramadan Ceasefire Proposal

As the war in Sudan nears its second anniversary, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called for a ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan. However, a senior source in the Sudanese army has firmly rejected the proposal. Meanwhile, the government of the Blue Nile region has initiated the drafting of a stringent law to criminalize hate speech.

Humanitarian Catastrophe Worsens

The conflict in Sudan has resulted in what is now considered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Over 12 million people have been displaced, half of the population is facing hunger, and the war has further fragmented an already fragile nation.

A UAE official stated, “With the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, a time of mercy and compassion, the UAE calls on all parties to honor this sacred period by agreeing to a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons.”

However, a high-ranking Sudanese army source responded to Reuters, stating, “We will not accept a ceasefire during Ramadan unless the blockade on all besieged cities and areas is lifted.”

Tensions between Sudan and the UAE

The Sudanese army considers the Emirates an aggressor in the conflict, accusing it of supporting the Rapid Support Forces with weapons, accusations that the Emirates denies.

Meanwhile, the Rapid Support Forces continue to advance towards the city of El Fasher, the last stronghold of the army in Darfur. At the same time, its elements withdraw from positions in the capital, Khartoum, in favor of the army.

UAE’s Humanitarian Efforts and Sudan’s Rejection

In addition to its ceasefire appeal, the UAE has announced plans to host a summit on Friday in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with the African Union, to raise funds for humanitarian aid in Sudan. The UAE official confirmed that the country intends to contribute $200 million toward relief efforts.

However, the Sudanese government rejected the summit proposal on Monday. Malik Agar, the Vice President of the Sovereign Council, described the initiative as “a complete act of aggression against an African nation striving to protect its land and sovereignty,” citing concerns over the UAE’s alleged role in the war.

Responding to Sudan’s accusations, the UAE official said, “Unfortunately, the Sudanese army is distorting the UAE’s role by fabricating false narratives… These claims will not distract the UAE from its primary objective—promoting stability.”

“The World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis”

African Union officials have described Sudan’s civil war as the most severe humanitarian disaster in the world, warning that hundreds of thousands of children are suffering from malnutrition.

Mohamed Ibn Chambas, head of the African Union’s Sudan committee, stated on the social media platform X, “The war has disrupted humanitarian aid access, led to food shortages, and exacerbated hunger.”

Wilson Almeida Adão, an African Union official specializing in child welfare, reported that hospital admissions for malnutrition cases increased by 44% in 2024, with over 431,000 children receiving treatment. He added, “We are witnessing reports of severe violations, including attacks on schools and hospitals, forced recruitment of children, and obstruction of humanitarian aid.”

Criminalizing Hate Speech in the Blue Nile Region

In an effort to maintain social stability, the government of Sudan’s southeastern Blue Nile region has begun drafting a strict law to criminalize hate speech and combat the harmful spread of misinformation on social media.

According to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), Abdelghani Daqees Khalifa, head of the Supreme Council for Culture and Information and the official spokesperson for the regional government, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to curbing hate speech and racial incitement.

He emphasized the government’s determination to uphold the rule of law and maintain security in the region. Khalifa also urged citizens to ignore inflammatory content on social media and prevent external actors from destabilizing the region.