Sporadic fighting between Sudan’s warring factions was heard in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Sunday, residents said, after a week-long ceasefire brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States revived hopes of an end to the five-week-old conflict, according to Reuters.
The agency said: “The agreement, which was signed by the army and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces after talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah, is scheduled to enter into force on Monday evening with an internationally backed monitoring mechanism, and also allows for the delivery of humanitarian aid.”
The agency added that the repeated declarations of a cease-fire since the start of the conflict on April 15 failed to stop the fighting, but the Jeddah agreement represents the first time that the two parties signed a truce agreement after negotiations.
The agency quoted analysts as saying: “It is not clear whether the army commander, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, or the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hamidti, are able to impose a cease-fire on the ground, and both of them had indicated earlier that they They seek victory in the war, and neither of them traveled to Jeddah.”
She explained that since the start of the war, 1.1 million people have fled their homes, moving either within Sudan or to neighboring countries, creating a humanitarian crisis that threatens to destabilize the region.
She noted that those still in Khartoum are struggling to survive amid mass looting, collapsing health services, and dwindling supplies of food, fuel, electricity and water. Witnesses reported hearing clashes in central and southern Khartoum on Sunday.
Safaa Ibrahim, 35, a resident of Khartoum, told Reuters by phone that she “hoped the agreement would put an end to the conflict.”
“We are tired of this war, we were expelled from our homes, and the family was separated between cities in Sudan and Egypt, and we want to return to normal life and safety. Al-Burhan and Hamidati must respect people’s desire for life,” she added.
According to the text of the Jeddah Agreement, a committee comprising three representatives from each of the warring parties, three from Saudi Arabia and three from the United States, would monitor the ceasefire.
Waiting for the armistice
The war in Khartoum was sparked by plans by the generals, who seized full power in a 2021 coup, to sign a transition towards elections under a civilian government.
Al-Burhan and Hamidti have held senior positions in Sudan’s ruling council since the overthrow of former leader Omar al-Bashir during a popular uprising in 2019.
The Jeddah talks focused on allowing aid in and restoring basic services, and mediators say more talks are needed to seek the withdrawal of forces from urban areas to broker a lasting peace agreement with the participation of civilians.
“Khartoum residents are waiting for the truce and the opening of humanitarian corridors. The health situation is getting worse day by day,” said Mohamed Hamed, an activist in the capital.
A UN bulletin said: “34 attacks on health care have been verified during the conflict, and the looting of humanitarian supplies and attacks on health facilities have continued since the two sides signed commitments to protect aid supplies and civilian infrastructure in Jeddah on May 11.”
“The army was trying to remove the Rapid Support Forces from homes, schools and hospitals,” Major General Yasser al-Atta told Sudanese state television.
Millions of civilians were trapped, as the army used airstrikes and shelling to target the RSF, which had holed up in residential areas early in the fighting.
In response to a question about calls by some tribal leaders to arm civilians, Atta said, “This is not required, but residents who are attacked in their homes must be able to act in self-defense. Let them arm themselves to protect themselves. This is a natural right.”
Since the start of the conflict, unrest has broken out in other parts of Sudan, especially the western region of Darfur.
About 705 people were killed and at least 5,287 others were injured, according to the World Health Organization, although the true death toll is believed to be much higher.
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudan-ceasefire-deal-raises-hopes-relief-khartoum-2023-05-21/
Source: بوابة الحرية والعدالة by fj-p.com.
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