New Truce Agreement: Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces Enter 72-Hour Ceasefire

2023-06-17 19:18:45

From Khartoum (AFP)

Sudan

A Saudi-American statement: Consideration will be given to postponing the Jeddah talks unless the two parties in Sudan abide by the armistice

Published in: Jun 17, 2023: 11:30 PM GST
Last updated: Jun 17, 2023: 11:32 PM GST

Al-Arabiya sources reported, on Saturday evening, that a new truce between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces for a period of 72 hours will enter into force, starting tomorrow.

And the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America announced the agreement of representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces on a cease-fire throughout Sudan for a period of (72) hours, starting from (18-21 June) at (6) am Khartoum time.

A joint statement by the facilitators stated that the two parties agreed that during the ceasefire period they would refrain from movements and attacks, the use of warplanes or drones, artillery bombardment, strengthening positions, resupplying forces, or refraining from trying to achieve military gains during the ceasefire. They also agreed to allow freedom of movement and the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout Sudan.

In light of the humanitarian donors’ conference on (June 19), the facilitators called on the two parties to consider the great suffering of the Sudanese people, and the need to fully adhere to the ceasefire and stop the violence. In the event that the parties do not abide by the 72-hour ceasefire, the facilitators will be forced to consider postponing the Jeddah talks.

Prior to that, the Vice-President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Malik Agar, confirmed that the situation in Sudan Disastrous, pointing out that Khartoum is suffering from complete destruction that has changed its features.

Agar stressed that uniting the army is the only way to end the war.

The deputy head of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Malik Agar, considered that the Rapid Support Forces are fighting to win the battles, while the army is fighting to win the war, indicating that the armed forces will eventually win the war, he said.

Clashes continued, on Saturday, in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, between the two parties to the conflict, about three months ago, between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.

Sudanese government sources denied earlier any information about a new truce with the Rapid Support Forces. The Sudanese government’s denial came after news of the possibility of the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces agreeing to a truce in the coming days.

Satellite images showed the extent of damage to many vital facilities in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state.

The pictures showed snapshots of parts of the city before the war, along with pictures showing the destruction that befell it weeks after the outbreak of battles.

The conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan caused the displacement of more than a million children within two months, about a quarter of them in the Darfur region, where there are increasing concerns about the occurrence of grave humanitarian violations associated with a breakdown in communications.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces suddenly broke out in mid-April as the military and civilian sides were putting the finishing touches on an internationally backed political process.