A 24-hour ceasefire agreement in Sudan is in doubt as gun battles between the warring parties continue in the capital Khartoum and other cities.
The shooting came amid live broadcasts of Arab television news channels in the Khartoum metropolitan area, minutes after a ceasefire went into effect at 6 p.m. (16:00 GMT) and combat aircraft could be seen in the sky.
A Reuters reporter in Khartoum said he heard tank fire shortly after the ceasefire went into effect. Amid the chaotic uproar, it was not clear who was behind the various firefights, although RSF paramilitaries released a statement on Facebook shortly after the ceasefire began, accusing the army of violating it. A local resident told Reuters that he heard an airstrike on Omdurman, Khartoum’s sister city on the opposite bank of the Nile River.
Two strong explosions near the headquarters of the main command in Khartoum, with the beginning of a truce between the parties to the conflict #السودان .
Strong explosions were heard near the avenue. #SAF Headquarters in the center of Khartoum, with the start of a ceasefire between the two sides in the conflict in #Sudan. pic.twitter.com/APb4DMMqHL— Sudan News (@Sudan_tweet) April 18, 2023
Earlier, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking from Japan, said that he had called both Army Commander-in-Chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, calling on the opposing forces to cease fire.
“The ceasefire agreement will not be extended beyond the agreed 24 hours,” Regular Army General Shams el-Din Kabassi, a member of Sudan’s ruling military council, told Al-Arabiya TV earlier.
The head of the DTY, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Khemedi”, whose whereabouts have not been released since the start of hostilities, said that the DTY has approved a 24-hour ceasefire to ensure the safe passage of civilians and the evacuation of the wounded. .
In a tweet, Hemendi said that he had “discussed pressing issues” with Blinken during their phone call and that further talks were planned. DTY also issued a statement saying they are in an ongoing fight to restore “the rights of the people”.
Source: Reuters.
Source: Kathimerini
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