In the wake of escalating violence and skirmishes in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, the country’s rival factions have agreed on a ceasefire for seven days.
The pact was announced following discussions in Jeddah, mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia. This deal, set to begin on the evening of May 22, could be extended if both parties agree, and it comes at a time when the capital is dealing with the repercussions of air strikes and artillery fire.
The agreement stands out as it symbolizes substantial progress, given that previous peace efforts were repeatedly disregarded since the outbreak of conflict five weeks ago. Moreover, unlike its predecessors, both factions officially sanction this truce. It will be overseen by a monitoring mechanism backed by the US, Saudi Arabia, and other international entities, as confirmed by the Saudi foreign ministry.
The agenda for the following discussions will be centered on enhancing civilians’ security situation and living conditions. Key points include withdrawing troops from populated areas and residential buildings, easing civilian and humanitarian aid movements, and enabling public workers to resume their duties.
The struggle for power between the head of the regular army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), escalated into armed conflict on April 15. The fallout of this clash has resulted in numerous casualties, predominantly civilians, and displaced over a million individuals. The United Nations has voiced serious concerns regarding the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which was worsened by the fact that one-third of Sudanese were dependent on aid beforehe war’s onset.
The declaration of the ceasefire follows a fortnight after the initial meeting between the battling generals in Jeddah, where they pledged to honor humanitarian norms and allow the delivery of much-needed aid. Yet, Martin Griffiths, the UN aid chief, pointed out significant breaches of this agreement, which he described as “important and egregious,” and indicated the lack of a comprehensive ceasefire.
To further peace and dialogue, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan dismissed his former deputy Daglo and promoted three allies to senior military posts. Malik Agar, a former rebel leader who signed a peace accord with Sudanese authorities in 2020, expressed a firm resolve to terminate the conflict and pursue negotiations, emphasizing the need for a professional and unified army to maintain Sudan’s stability.
Violence has also spilled over into Darfur’s conflict-ridden region, the RSF’s birthplace. Recent assaults on diplomatic missions, including the Qatari embassy, have drawn worldwide rebuke, with demands for an immediate cessation of hostilities. In response to the unfolding crisis, the UN has allocated emergency funds, and the United States has provided financial assistance to displaced Sudanese and neighboring nations affected by the turmoil.
