The US celebrated the three-day truce between the paramilitary forces and the Sudanese army for the end of Ramadan

He US State Department Secretary Antony Blinkencelebrated the three day truce offered by the paramilitaries Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and accepted by the Sudan Army on the occasion of end of Ramadan.

“I welcome the announcements by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF that they intend to comply with a three-day Eid al Fitr ceasefire,” Blinken said, adding that last Thursday he spoke to the General Burhan and the General Hemedti to urge both “to commit to and abide by a ceasefire during this period”.

“The first is the first. With fighting lulling, Sudan’s military and civilian leaders must urgently begin negotiations on arrangements for a sustainable ceasefire to prevent further damage to the Sudanese nation” negotiations that must address the delivery of humanitarian assistance, the protection of civilians and security for basic health, water, energy, communications and other infrastructure.

Blinken reminded both sides “of their obligations under the International human rightincluding your obligation to respect all civil rights” and the international community “remains ready to support a process to end this fight and start civilian rule”.

The Sudanese Army announced this Friday that it accepts the three-day truce offered by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the occasion of the end of Ramadan, but a few hours after this announcement both contenders have once again accused each other of violating the announced truce.

“The cessation of hostilities must be followed by a serious dialogue that allows for a successful transition, starting with the appointment of a civilian government,” said the president on Thursday. UN Secretary General António Guterres after a virtual meeting with the African Union (AU).

“I think this is the right time for the ceasefire to hold. and this ceasefire is absolutely crucial at this moment,” added Guterres, who explained that the UN is in contact with the parties and sees it possible to succeed if there is international unity to put pressure on both sides.

The Portuguese politician warned of the critical state that exists in Sudan, with a “terrible” impact on civilians, an “unfortunate humanitarian situation and dire prospects for further escalation”.

In addition, he denounced the attacks perpetrated against schools, hospitals and humanitarian facilities, which have made support operations for the population “virtually impossible”.

The hostilities broke out last Saturday in the context of an increase in tensions around the reform of the security apparatus and the integration of the paramilitary force — led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, alias ‘Hemedti’, who is also Vice President of the Sovereign Transition Council— within the Armed Forces, a key part of an agreement signed in December to form a new civilian government and reactivate the transition.

(With information from Europa Press)

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