Hours after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement, Sudan is still grappling with violence. On Tuesday evening, the regular army and rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused each other of violating the truce. The capital witnessed intense fighting as forces aligned with dueling generals battled for strategic positions.
Live feeds from multiple television news channels captured loud gunfire resonating in the Khartoum capital region shortly after the agreed-upon ceasefire time of 6 pm (16:00 GMT). As per reports, the ceasefire was brokered internationally and was expected to bring much-needed peace to the country after months of unrest.
Subheadings:
- Violation of Ceasefire Agreement
- Heavy Fighting in the Capital
- International Efforts to Restore Peace
Violation of Ceasefire Agreement
Despite international efforts to broker peace, the ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) did not last long. The two forces accused each other of failing to respect the truce, which led to a resumption of hostilities in the country.
It is worth noting that the fighting in Sudan has been ongoing for months, with clashes between the regular army and the RSF being a common occurrence. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of civilians, which has raised concerns among the international community.
Heavy Fighting in the Capital
As per reports, the capital city of Khartoum witnessed heavy fighting as the ceasefire agreement fell apart. Forces loyal to dueling generals battled for strategic locations, and loud gunfire could be heard across the city. The situation has raised concerns about the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire and the overall stability of the country.
International Efforts to Restore Peace
The international community has been actively involved in efforts to restore peace and stability in Sudan. The United Nations and the African Union have both called for an end to the violence and urged the parties involved to engage in dialogue.
The recent ceasefire agreement was also brokered internationally, with hopes of ending the months-long conflict. However, the failure of the ceasefire highlights the challenges of resolving the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
Sudan has been undergoing a transition to a civilian democracy following mass protests that led to the fall of former leader Omar al-Bashir four years ago. However, four days ago, a conflict arose between Sudan’s military leader and his deputy on the ruling council, which disrupted the transition plan supported by the international community.
This conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with the UN reporting a near collapse of the health system and the suspension of the World Food Programme’s operations after the killing of three employees. The UN has also reported that at least 185 people have died due to the fighting.
In response to this situation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for a ceasefire between the two rival leaders, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, to allow for the safe reunification of Sudanese families and provide relief.
Conclusion
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of civilians. Despite international efforts to broker peace, the situation on the ground remains volatile, with clashes between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces being a common occurrence.
The recent ceasefire agreement was expected to bring much-needed relief to the country, but the failure of the truce highlights the challenges of resolving the ongoing crisis. It is essential for all parties involved to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.