Fighting in Sudan continues

Just minutes after a negotiated ceasefire began in Sudan on Monday, eyewitnesses have reported airstrikes and clashes. They spoke to the AFP news agency of fighting north of the capital Khartoum. Khartoum residents also reported hearing airstrikes after the ceasefire came into effect.

The ceasefire brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia began at 9:45 p.m. (Central European Time) on Monday and is expected to last for a week. Among other things, the agreement provides for the distribution of relief supplies, the restoration of basic services and the withdrawal of armed fighters from hospitals and key public facilities.

Just a few hours before the ceasefire began, the RSF militia had raised doubts as to whether it would come into force. Their boss, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, posted an audio file on Facebook saying there would be no retreat until the army’s “military coup” was over. Since fighting broke out in the north-east African country, several ceasefires that have been announced have not been observed.

The fighting in Sudan between the army of military ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary RSF militia of his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo began in mid-April. Since then, more than 705 people have been killed and at least 5,287 injured, according to the World Health Organization. There are now more than a million refugees and displaced persons. There is a lack of food, cash and essential goods. There was also looting in banks, embassies, aid depots and churches.