The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese military have been engaged in six days of combat since tensions over the country’s transition to civilian rule erupted into violence.
The paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese army has consented to a 72-hour “complete ceasefire” as the United States confirmed that one of its citizens was killed in the six-day conflict.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stated that it consented to the ceasefire for humanitarian reasons as Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, which signals the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.
The paramilitary group stated that the cessation of hostilities, which has resulted in more than 330 deaths and at least 3,300 injuries, will permit the establishment of humanitarian corridors to “evacuate citizens and give them the chance to greet their families.”
The Sudanese military has not commented on the armistice, which began at 6:00 a.m. local time (5:00 a.m. UK).
Before Eid al-Fitr, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had urged both parties to commit to a three-day moratorium.
US preparing to evacuate citizens
A spokesperson for the US State Department has verified that an American citizen has died in the country.
The department issued a statement confirming the demise of one American in Sudan. We are in contact with the family and extend our condolences for their loss.
“Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have nothing further to add.”
The United States and other nations have been preparing to evacuate their citizens from Sudan, a difficult task given that most main airports have become battlegrounds and movement out of the capital, Khartoum, to safer areas is risky.
Administration officials reported that the US military has moved assets to a base in the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti in preparation for a potential evacuation of American Embassy personnel.
Japan intends to deploy military aircraft to Djibouti, while the Netherlands has sent its own to Jordan.
James Cleverly, the British foreign secretary, will cut short his Pacific tour and return from New Zealand on Friday to focus on Britain’s response to the Sudan crisis.
The Sudan office of the British Council has been “evacuated,” according to a statement that reads. “We are relieved to report that all colleagues who were in our office are now at home.
The safety and security of our coworkers is always our top priority.
Thursday, the Sudanese army ruled out negotiations with the RSF, stating that it would only accept its surrender.
Previously, Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan had said he would negotiate.
Why has violence erupted?
Tensions over the transition from military to civilian authority in the country erupted into violence on Saturday, April 15th.
The RSF stated that it was acting in “self-defense” to repel a coup attempt in the country.
In 2019, the paramilitary group and the Sudanese army joined forces to depose the former leader Omar al Bashir.
Since then, however, there have been persistent disagreements between the two factions regarding how the country should be governed.
Since fighting began, both parties have claimed vital locations like the presidential palace, airports, and air bases.
The bloodiest confrontations between the army and the RSF have occurred in and around Khartoum, one of the largest cities in Africa, and in Darfur, which is still scarred by a three-year-old conflict.
Following an unsuccessful ceasefire, a truce ensues
The 72-hour ceasefire comes after a fragile 24-hour ceasefire, which began on Wednesday, was disrupted throughout the day.
The failure of the second attempt at a ceasefire this week highlighted the inability of the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and regional powers to convince Sudan’s top generals to halt their campaigns to capture control of the country.
General Burhan, the army commander, and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF leader, look ready to defeat each other militarily.
On Thursday, incessant gunfire could be heard throughout Khartoum throughout the day.
Residents reported that the fighting was most intense near the city’s primary military headquarters.
Residents reported that military warplanes attacked RSF positions at the airport and in the adjoining city of Omdurman.
The military said its aeroplanes struck an RSF convoy heading to the capital, although this could not be substantiated.
Khartoum residents are desperate for relief after days of being confined to their houses without food or water.
As many hospitals closed and ran out of supplies, fears increased that the nation’s medical system would collapse.
