Rapid Support Forces agree to a new ceasefire in Sudan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 May 10:07

The RSF say they agreed to an additional 72-hour ceasefire in order to open a humanitarian corridor.

Smoke billows above residential buildings in Khartoum on April 16, 2023 (AFP)

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) confirmed on Friday that it had agreed to extend the ceasefire - mediated by the US and Saudi Arabia - for an additional 72 hours.

In a statement, the RSF said that it agreed to a ceasefire "in order to open humanitarian corridors, facilitate the movement of citizens and residents, enable them to fulfill their needs, and reach hospitals and safe areas."

Sudan's warring sides have announced multiple truces but none has effectively taken hold.

On Thursday, the Sudanese military said on Twitter that "the operational situation throughout Sudanese cities and military areas is stable and calm, except for parts of the capital and El Obeid city."

"The Rapid Support Forces 'rebels' continued to violate the declared truce since the morning, by attacking the Bahri military area at dawn; they were defeated and suffered heavy losses," the military added.

الخميس ٤ مايو ٢٠٢٣م : موجز موقف اليوم
الموقف العملياتي بجميع أنحاء السودان، وكل المدن والمناطق العسكرية مستقرة وهادئة عدا أجزاء من منطقة العاصمة ومدينة الأبيض بولاية شمال كردفان. pic.twitter.com/fi0FWwRLvR
— القوات المسلحة السودانية - الإعلام العسكري (@GHQSudan) May 4, 2023

The military also accused the RSF of perpetrating “terrorist” acts, including looting banks and shops in addition to seizing the maternity hospital in Omdurman and turning it into a military outpost.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday admitted that "we failed" to stop the war from erupting in Sudan, where persistent fighting between rival generals undermined efforts to firm up a truce.

Deadly urban clashes broke out on April 15 between Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who commands the regular army, and his deputy Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo, who heads the paramilitary RSF.

At least 550 people have been killed and 4,926 wounded, according to the latest Health Ministry figures, which are likely incomplete.

Sudan Turmoil

Clashes broke out after weeks of tension between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Though the two groups were once allies, tensions have been brewing since the proposed integration of the RSF into the military. As factions battle for control, where is Khartoum headed?