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SUDAN UNREST: Warring parties agree to a new 72-hour truce

Posted on 25/04/2023

Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (L) and Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (R) both lead powerful forces

KHARTOUM – Following intense negotiations led by the United States, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have agreed to a 72-hour nationwide ceasefire starting from midnight on Monday.

The ceasefire comes after nine days of heavy fighting between the two parties, which has led to the death of over four hundred people, injuries, and the destruction of strategic facilities in Khartoum.

The United States State Department has welcomed the agreement and has urged both parties to comply fully with the ceasefire.

In a statement, the Sudanese army spokesman said that the ceasefire was agreed upon for humanitarian reasons and to ease the burden on the citizens, who have been suffering amid the fighting. The regular army also highlighted the need for both parties to comply with the requirements for the continuation of the ceasefire.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, for their part, confirmed their commitment to the truce to open humanitarian corridors, facilitate the movement of citizens, and reach hospitals and safe areas, among other things.

In a statement about the truce, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged to coordinate with regional and international partners, and Sudanese civilian stakeholders, to create a committee to “oversee the negotiation, conclusion, and implementation of a permanent cessation of hostilities and humanitarian arrangements in Sudan”.

Further, the spokesman for the political process, Khalid Omer Youssif said that this ceasefire is different from previous truces as it addresses specific issues and outlines the necessary mechanisms to reach a final agreement.

The ceasefire will be followed by a final ceasefire agreement and political discussions, leading to a democratic transition in Sudan, Youssif said.

During the past few days, the warring parties continued the fighting despite their declared commitment to cease the fighting in the Sudanese capital on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.