The Sudanese militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has unilaterally declared a ceasefire around the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan on Friday. That’s what the militia announced Friday morning on Twitter On. The file would last 72 hours. According to the RSF, a ceasefire offers the opportunity to open humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians and visiting relatives.
On Friday morning, after the cease-fire began, gunshots were reported in, among other things, the capital Khartoum. The Sudanese army, with which the RSF is engaged in a battle, has not yet officially responded to the announcement. However, there was talk within the government militias of an agreement for a 24-hour ceasefire, the AP news agency reported.
The announcement of the three-day truce comes after UN chief António Guterres called on Thursday for the people to lay down their arms over the end of Ramadan. The international community has been calling for a ceasefire for days. The conflict in Sudan, which broke out last Saturday, has already killed at least 350 people. Since the violence, according to the UN, tens of thousands of people have been left without electricity and running water. Food supplies would also run out in many households and medical facilities would be forced to close. Tens of thousands of people are said to have fled to neighboring Chad.
It is the third attempt in a week to reach a ceasefire. Each time it did not take long before it was violated. In Khartoum, mosques are expected to keep morning services indoors to protect worshipers. Sudan’s top general Abdel Fattah Burhan said Friday in a video message that the military is committed to a transition to civilian government. In his first speech since fighting began in the country, the three-day ceasefire announced by the RSF was not mentioned. “We are confident that we will overcome this ordeal with our training, wisdom and strength, entrusting the security and unity of the state, enabling us to make the safe transition to civilian rule.”
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