Sudanese Army Suspends Ceasefire Talks, Tensions Escalate
The Sudanese army has announced the suspension of its participation in ceasefire talks brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia, according to a government official. The decision was made due to the rebels’ failure to implement any provisions of the short-term ceasefire, including the withdrawal from hospitals and residential buildings. The anonymous Sudanese official highlighted the repeated violations of the truce by the rebel forces.
Ceasefire Violations and Renewed Clashes
Despite an agreement to extend the humanitarian truce by five days, clashes reignited in both Khartoum and the Darfur region. Mediators from the US and Saudi Arabia had acknowledged the frequent violations of the ceasefire over the previous week. The army’s Chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, declared during a visit to troops in the capital that the army is ready to fight until victory. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, Burhan’s former deputy and current rival, accused the army of violating the truce and stated their intention to exercise their right to self-defense.
Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict between the rival security forces has resulted in a devastating toll, with over 1,800 casualties reported since April 15, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The United Nations has expressed concern over the dire situation, reporting over a million internally displaced people and nearly 350,000 refugees, including 170,000 in Egypt. The UN estimates that more than half of Sudan’s population, totaling 25 million people, are now in need of aid and protection. The humanitarian crisis is further exacerbated by the severe lack of basic services, such as running water, electricity, and functioning hospitals in combat zones.
Warning of Total Civil War
The Forces for Freedom and Change, the main civilian bloc that was ousted from power by Burhan and Daglo in a 2021 coup, has issued a grave warning of Sudan descending into “total civil war.” The ongoing tensions and hostilities between the rival factions pose a significant threat to stability and the well-being of the Sudanese population. As the situation escalates, there is an urgent need for diplomatic efforts and humanitarian assistance to mitigate the crisis and prevent further bloodshed.
SOURCE: Image – punch newspaper
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