Again, warring sides in Sudan agree to 24-hr ceasefire

Sudan conflict

Fighters in the Sudan conflict

Warring parties in Sudan have agreed to a 24-hour nationwide truce beginning at 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Saturday, according to a joint statement issued by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support soldiers (RSF) agreed to “refrain from prohibited movements, attacks, use of aircraft or drones, aerial bombardment, artillery strikes, reinforcement of positions, and resupply of forces.”

“They will also refrain from seeking military advantage during the ceasefire,” the statement said.

If the parties fail to observe the truce, “facilitators will be forced to consider adjourning the Jeddah talks,” the US and Saudi joint statement stated, referring to talks to try to resolve nearly two months of violence in Sudan.

“We have provided both parties with numerous opportunities to end this senseless war,” the United States State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs tweeted.

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“We call on both sides to honour today’s commitment to a 24-hour ceasefire, which would allow Sudanese people to receive critical humanitarian aid.”

Both sides had violated a series of ceasefire agreements, while a recent truce agreement allowed for limited amounts of humanitarian aid, according to humanitarian organisations.

Sudan’s violence stalled the start of a transition to democratic administration four years after a popular rebellion deposed strongman President Omar al-Bashir.

During the transition, Sudan’s army and the RSF clashed over the chain of command and military reform plans.

Reuters/NAN

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