Both rival sides in Sudan agree to ceasefire: UN representative

Sudan’s army and its rival paramilitary force have agreed to send representatives to Saudi Arabia, possibly for general talks. A top United Nations official gave this information on Monday. Meanwhile, clashes broke out between the two sides in the capital Khartoum despite the ceasefire being extended for another three days. Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan, said the talks would initially focus on establishing a stable and credible ceasefire under the supervision of national and international observers.

Last week’s temporary ceasefire eased fighting in some areas, while heavy fighting continues in others, sparking a humanitarian crisis. Perthes cautioned that the plan for the talks is still under discussion. So far, only the army has announced it is ready for talks, while its rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have made no public statements. Any talks would be the first major sign of progress towards peace since the conflict between the army led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary force led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Daglo began on April 15. According to the Sudanese Ministry of Health, some 530 people, including civilians and fighters, have been killed since then, while 4,500 others have been injured.

On Monday, a US Navy ship took 308 people from Port Sudan to the Saudi port of Jeddah, according to Saudi Arabian officials. Explosions were heard in parts of Khartoum and in the neighboring city. The local people gave this information. Both the rival sides announced late on Sunday that they would extend the humanitarian ceasefire for another 72 hours. The US and Saudi Arabia led a coordinated international campaign to get the two rival generals to agree to talks to end the fighting. Perthes, the UN envoy in Port Sudan, said both sides needed to abide by the agreement.

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