Sudanese belligerents extend ceasefire for 72 hours

April 30, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support have agreed to extend the truce for 72 hours, starting at midnight on Sunday.

The truce is the sixth of its kind since clashes erupted between the two sides on April 15, without observing it. The two parties used to trade accusations of violating the truce.

In a statement received by Sudan Tribune, the army said that they “agreed to extend the truce for a period of 72 hours, starting from the expiration of the current truce at midnight on Sunday, based on mediation by the United States and Saudi Arabia.”

The military statement pointed out that the army agreed to the extension despite monitoring the intentions of the Rapid Support Forces to attack some sites, but expressed hope that the other party will abide by the cessation of hostilities.

In turn, the paramilitary forces announced their agreement to extend the ceasefire to open humanitarian corridors and facilitate the movement of civilians to meet their needs and reach safe areas.

The RSF renewed their commitment to a complete ceasefire, “despite the violations of the army, which continued to attack their positions and bases”, according to his claim.

Despite the successive renewal of the truce, the two sides are not ready to hold talks as everyone wants to defeat the other before.

The tripartite mechanism, consisting of the United Nations Mission in Sudan, the African Union and IGAD, called on the parties to the conflict to respect the ceasefire, protect civilians and refrain from attacks on populated areas, schools and health facilities.

A few hours before the statements of the belligerents, the Trilateral Mechanism comprising the African Union, Inter-governmental Authority on Development and United Nations called on the Generals Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti” to agree on another extension of the ceasefire.

The facilitation mechanism further urged the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to ensure full compliance with the ceasefire to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the civilians.

The Trilateral Mechanism emphasized the importance of respecting the ceasefire, protecting civilians, and refraining from attacking civilian areas, healthcare facilities, and schools.

(ST)