Webdesk: Sudan’s warring groups have negotiated a seven-day ceasefire despite air strikes and artillery skirmishes in Khartoum. After talks in Jeddah, the US and Saudi Arabia agreed to a truce on May 22 that can prolonge.
Since the fighting began five weeks ago, past truces have been breached, making this ceasefire crucial. Jeddah deal signed by both parties and would monitored by a US-Saudi and international ceasefire monitoring body.
Next talks will improve civilian security and humanitarian situations. This includes removing forces from urban areas. It includes civilian houses, facilitating civilian and humanitarian movement, and allowing public officials to return to work.
The paramilitary RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and regular army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan went to war over power. Fighting has killed hundreds of civilians and displaced over a million. Since one in three Sudanese relied on help before the war, the UN is concerned about the humanitarian situation.
Moreover, The ceasefire comes two weeks after the opposing generals met in Jeddah and pledged to observe humanitarian principles and enable relief. Martin Griffiths, UN assistance head, called these transgressions “important and egregious” and short of a truce.
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s dismissal of Daglo and appointment of three supporters to high military positions bolstered peace and negotiation efforts. In 2020, former rebel commander Malik Agar signed a peace accord with the Sudanese government and pledged to cease the war and negotiate, emphasising the need for a professional and unified army for Sudan’s stability.
