The United Nations Security Council is studying the call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan before the month of Ramadan, in the ongoing war for 11 months between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, according to diplomats.

The 15-member council is negotiating a draft resolution drafted by Britain, and diplomats said it could be put to a vote on Friday.

The draft resolution, which Reuters has seen, calls on all parties to "ensure the removal of any obstacles, and to allow full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, including across borders and through various points, and to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law," before Ramadan begins next week.

The United States accuses both warring parties of committing war crimes, and says the Rapid Support Forces and allied armed groups have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

Meanwhile, the United Nations says nearly 25 million, or half the population of Sudan, need aid, about 8 million have been displaced from their homes, and hunger levels continue to rise.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters on Wednesday: "The international community is not doing enough to address this horrific crisis."

Between 10,000 and 15,000 were killed in one city alone in West Darfur state last year, in ethnic violence by Rapid Support Forces and allied militias, according to a UN sanctions monitors’ report seen by Reuters in January.

Since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023, the council has issued only 3 press statements condemning the violence and expressing concern, repeating the same stance in a December resolution ending a political mission of the United Nations after a request from the acting Sudanese foreign minister.

The Security Council draft resolution urges all countries to "refrain from external interference seeking to provoke conflict and instability," and calls on them to "support efforts to achieve lasting peace."

The Security Council resolution requires the approval of at least 9 members and no veto from the five permanent members, the United States, Russia, Britain, China, or France.