**Former Rebel Turned Government Ally Proposes Path to Peace for Sudan**
**Khartoum, Sudan** – In a significant development for Sudan's ongoing civil conflict, Malik Agar Ayyir, a former rebel leader and current deputy chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, has put forth a new proposal aimed at ending the civil war and establishing a democratic government. Agar, who once led a militia group that fought against the Sudanese government, now advocates for a comprehensive approach to restore peace and stability in the nation.
The proposal, which has been shared with Al Jazeera, outlines a strategy to re-establish the state’s monopoly on arms and dissolve non-state armed groups. Agar emphasizes that these steps are crucial for transitioning towards a civilian government and facilitating free elections. His initiative aims to foster consensus among various factions aligned with Sudan's internationally recognized government through a series of dialogues addressing the most pressing issues facing the country.
Central to Agar's plan is the need to resolve disputes regarding the roles of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. The proposal also highlights the importance of acknowledging the influence of external actors in Sudan's internal affairs, specifically pointing to the United Arab Emirates as a supporter of the RSF's rebellion.
Agar's initiative builds upon the terms of a landmark peace agreement signed in 2020 between the Sudanese government and several rebel groups, which sought to end decades of turmoil and internal strife. However, the path to peace has been fraught with challenges, particularly following the outbreak of fighting between the SAF and RSF in April 2023. This conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced approximately 14 million people, creating one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.
In the past, Sudan's government has presented various peace plans to the UN Security Council, including a proposal in 2025 that called for the RSF to withdraw from significant territories in western and central Sudan as a prerequisite for negotiations. However, this plan was rejected by the RSF leadership. Similarly, a "Quad" initiative launched in November 2025 by the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, which aimed for a three-month humanitarian truce followed by permanent peace, was dismissed by the SAF as biased due to the UAE's perceived favoritism towards the RSF.
In December 2025, the "Nairobi roadmap" emerged, a civilian-led effort designed to create a credible alternative to the SAF and RSF, thereby empowering the Sudanese populace in the face of armed group dominance. Despite this, Agar has previously ruled out any negotiations with the RSF, insisting that discussions between the army and the RSF should be treated as a separate process entirely.
As Sudan grapples with the complexities of its civil war, Agar's proposal represents a potential turning point in the quest for peace. By advocating for a structured dialogue and addressing the underlying issues of governance and military oversight, Agar aims to pave the way for a more stable and democratic future for Sudan. The success of this initiative, however, will depend on the willingness of all parties involved to engage in genuine dialogue and work towards a common goal of peace and stability.