Sudan ceasefire agreement for 72 hours: Evacuations continue
US diplomatic chief Antony Blinken has announced that rival generals in the Sudan conflict have agreed to a 72-hour nationwide ceasefire in a bid to end the violence, according to Digi24.
"After intense negotiations over the past 48 hours, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have agreed to implement a nationwide ceasefire effective midnight on 24 April (Monday 22:00 GMT), which is expected to last 72 hours," Antony Blinken said in a statement, BBC reports.
"During this period, the United States expects the military and RSF to fully and immediately comply with this ceasefire," he added. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said the United States was working with its allies and partners to establish a "commission" that would be tasked with negotiating a permanent cessation of hostilities in Sudan. Antony Blinken spoke earlier on Monday with his Kenyan counterpart about the conflict in Sudan and stepped up communication with rival Sudanese generals, as well as countries in the region and the African Union.
The US, he added, plans to resume its diplomatic presence in Sudan, but described conditions there as "very challenging". Many countries are evacuating diplomats and their nationals from Sudan because of the conflict in which 400 people have died since 15 April.
UN secretary-general António Guterres warned that the violence in Sudan risks causing a "catastrophe" that could engulf the entire region and beyond. Since the violence began, residents of the capital Khartoum have been told to stay in hiding as food and water supplies have run out.
Key infrastructure has been damaged as a result of the fighting, and some people have ended up drinking water directly from the Nile River. In Khartoum, internet connection has been cut since Sunday evening. It is hoped that during the ceasefire civilians will be able to leave the city.
Foreign governments also hope to be able to continue evacuating their own citizens. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people, including Sudanese nationals and those from neighbouring countries, have fled the violence.
