RIYADH: Ƶ and the US reaffirmed on Tuesday the importance of a ceasefire signed by warring parties in Sudan, urging them to adhere to their commitments.
The Saudi foreign ministry said: “The Saudi and US facilitators note with concern that neither side observed its commitment not to seek military advantage during the 48-hour period after the agreement was signed and before it went into effect.”
Sporadic artillery fire still echoed in Sudan’s capital on Tuesday despite the ceasefire signed on May, 20, 2023, in Jeddah. But residents in Khartoum said the fighting had calmed.
“While fighting in Khartoum appeared to be less intense than in recent days, the facilitators conveyed to the parties reports indicating that both sides violated the Agreement. Those included reported offensive operations in Khartoum and El-Obeid, airstrikes, and use of artillery,” the statement said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday warned the warring sides to abide by the latest ceasefire or face possible sanctions.
“If the ceasefire is violated, we’ll know and we will hold violators accountable through sanctions and other means,” he said. “We facilitated the ceasefire, but it’s the responsibility of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to implement it.”
Blinken said the fighting has been “tragic, senseless and devastating.”
Sudan descended into chaos after fighting erupted in mid-April between the country's military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
The fighting has killed at least 863 civilians, including at least 190 children, and wounded more than 3,530 others, according to the Doctors' Syndicate, which tracks civilian casualties. The toll could be much higher, the medical group said.
“After five weeks of continued conflict, the Sudanese people badly need the humanitarian assistance and restored essential services that the short-term ceasefire is intended to enable,” the ministry statement said.
— AP, AFP
