Malik Agar Ayyir proposes peace plan for Sudan's civil war on July 8, 2026

On July 8, 2026, Malik Agar Ayyir, a former rebel fighter and now deputy chairman of Sudan's transitional government, proposed a new path forward to end Sudan's civil war. His plan aims to restore the state’s monopoly on arms and dissolve non-state armed groups, emphasizing the need for civilian governance and free elections.

Key Components of Agar's Peace Proposal

Agar's proposal, obtained by Al Jazeera, seeks to create consensus among actors aligned with Sudan’s internationally recognized government. It includes:

• Restoration of the state’s monopoly on arms.
• Dissolution of non-state armed groups.
• Dialogue to address the role of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
• Strategies to handle conflicts with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• Recognition of the impact of external actors on Sudan’s internal affairs.

The proposal builds on the terms of a landmark peace deal signed in 2020, aiming to resolve long-standing instability and internal conflicts.

Challenges in Achieving Peace

Since the outbreak of fighting between the SAF and RSF in April 2023, the conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced 14 million people. This situation has led to what is now the world’s largest ongoing humanitarian crisis. Armed factions are accused of severe human rights violations, including allegations of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

In 2025, Sudan proposed a peace plan to the UN Security Council, demanding RSF fighters withdraw from key regions as a prerequisite for negotiations. However, this proposal was rejected outright by RSF leadership, complicating the peace process further.

International Efforts and Future Steps

In November 2025, a “Quad” initiative involving the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt proposed a humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent peace agreement that would reform Sudan’s government. This initiative was also dismissed by the SAF due to perceived biases favoring the RSF.

Additionally, the “Nairobi roadmap” emerged in December, aiming to establish a civilian-led approach that empowers the Sudanese populace beyond the SAF and RSF conflicts. Agar has previously ruled out negotiations with the RSF, emphasizing that discussions between the army and RSF should be treated as a separate track.