IGAD Proposes African Troops for Sudan Ceasefire

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has proposed deploying 4,500 African troops to enforce a ceasefire in Sudan, where ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to an alarming death toll of over 61,000 in Khartoum State alone, according to a recent study. Humanitarian conditions are dire, with widespread famine affecting up to 25 million civilians as both sides allegedly employ starvation tactics against the population. Refugees fleeing to Chad face new challenges, including sexual exploitation, underscoring the failures of humanitarian responses. Amnesty International has raised concerns about UAE-supplied armored vehicles used in the conflict, potentially violating UN arms embargoes. Meanwhile, organizations are preparing for urgent food assistance needs projected to rise by May 2025 across affected regions. Calls for a UN peacekeeping force continue as violations of previous ceasefire agreements hinder aid delivery and protection efforts.