SUDAN PEACE GOVERNMENT ACCUSES MILITARY LEADERS OF PROLONGING WAR, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.

BY NJOKI KARANJA 

Nyala, South Darfur – 24 December 2025.

A Sudanese political faction calling itself the “Peace Government” has issued a sharply worded statement accusing Sudan’s military leadership and Islamist allies of deliberately prolonging the country’s devastating war, committing war crimes, and blocking international efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

In a press release issued from Nyala, South Darfur, the group warned that Sudan is at a critical crossroads “between war and the choice of genuine, comprehensive peace,” as fighting that erupted on April 15 continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians across the country.

The statement places primary responsibility for the conflict on army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and what it described as the “Islamist movement’s army,” accusing them of sabotaging peace initiatives in order to retain power and reverse the gains of Sudan’s December 2018 revolution.

Rejection of Port Sudan Authorities

The Peace Government strongly criticized the authorities based in Port Sudan, arguing they lack legitimacy following the military coup that led to Sudan’s suspension from the African Union. It condemned what it called the international community’s decision to give these authorities a platform at forums such as the UN Security Council.

“Granting international platforms to coup leaders and war advocates is a flagrant violation of UN and African Union principles,” the statement said, urging foreign governments to stop providing political or diplomatic cover to what it described as “incubators of terrorism.”

Criticism of Kamil Idris Initiative

The group also dismissed a peace initiative promoted by Kamil Idris, a former UN official, calling it a “manifesto for perpetuating the war.” According to the statement, the proposal originated within Islamist circles before the conflict began and was later adopted by al-Burhan.

“Kamil Idris is not a civilian alternative,” the statement said, describing him as a “puppet in the hands of war advocates” whose role is to buy time and derail serious peace efforts.

Support for Quad-Led Peace Efforts

In contrast, the Peace Government reaffirmed its support for a peace roadmap proposed by the so-called Quad group of countries, which includes calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and a clear political process. The initiative has reportedly received backing from the African Union, the European Union, and a range of Sudanese civilian forces.

The group said it had unilaterally committed to a humanitarian ceasefire and expressed readiness to engage in comprehensive peace talks, stressing that its position reflects “the will of the Sudanese people to stop the bloodshed.”

Allegations of War Crimes and Genocide

The statement leveled some of its strongest accusations against the Sudanese Armed Forces and allied Islamist elements, alleging systematic ethnic cleansing, genocide, and the use of internationally banned weapons, including chemical weapons.

It claimed that independent international human rights organizations have documented these abuses, describing them as war crimes and crimes against humanity that require accountability under international law.

Humanitarian Crisis and International Silence

Highlighting the dire humanitarian situation, the Peace Government called for unrestricted access for UN agencies and aid organizations to all parts of Sudan. It accused the warring parties of using starvation, food, and medicine as weapons of war.

The group said it had submitted formal complaints to the United Nations, the Quad countries, the African Union, and IGAD over the army’s refusal to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire, warning that continued international silence amounts to “implicit complicity.”

Call for a New Sudan

In closing, the statement reaffirmed the Peace Government’s commitment to Sudan’s unity, equal citizenship, and a secular state free from religious, ethnic, or regional discrimination. It warned that ignoring the war’s consequences would not only devastate Sudan but also threaten regional and international security.

“Silence in the face of this brutality does not mean neutrality,” the statement concluded. “It prolongs the war and undermines the foundations of international justice.”

Despite the ongoing violence, the group said it remains determined to pursue peace and to work with national and international partners to build what it described as “a new Sudan” grounded in freedom, social justice, and lasting peace.