KHARTOUM, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Explosions shook Sudan’s capital on Tuesday evening despite claims of a ceasefire on the fourth day of fighting that has killed nearly 200.
A weeks-long power struggle erupted into battles on Saturday between the forces of two generals who seized power in a 2021 coup: army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Since then, international calls have mounted for an end to hostilities that have spawned increasing lawlessness, death and damage.
After international mediation, RSF commander Daglo, commonly known as Hemeti, said he would support a 24-hour “armistice”, which the army denied any knowledge of before later blaming the RSF for breaking it.
The RSF had already accused the army of violating the agreement.
By 1600 GMT, the time of the supposed start to the ceasefire, gunfire could still be heard throughout the capital Khartoum, according to several witnesses, and it continued into the evening.
“As of now the fighting in Sudan, including Khartoum and various other locations, is continuing. No sign of real abatement of the fighting,” the spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
Daglo’s announcement came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he spoke with the two generals and “underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire”.
Foreign ministers of the G7, which includes the US, had also called on Tuesday for the warring parties to “end hostilities immediately”, as loud explosions were heard in Khartoum, where militiamen in turbans and fatigues roamed the streets.
Blinken also discussed with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan ways to “stop military escalation, ending violence, and calming tensions” in Sudan.
Underscoring the chaos, Washington said one of its diplomatic convoys was fired upon, and the EU said its ambassador was attacked at home.
Aid groups have reported looting of medical and other supplies.
There are fears of regional spillover from the conflict that has included air strikes and artillery fire.
The latest toll is at least 185 people killed and more than 1,800 injured, according to the UN.
The true number is thought to be far higher, with many wounded unable to reach hospitals, which are themselves being shelled, according to the official doctors’ union.
World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned “disturbing reports of some health facilities being looted and others being used for military purposes.”
The Red Cross and WHO stressed Tuesday the need for humanitarian aid corridors.
The battles that began Saturday followed bitter disagreements between Burhan and Daglo over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army – a key condition for a final deal aimed at resuming the democratic transition.
Influential northern neighbour Egypt said it had discussed with Saudi Arabia, South Sudan and Djibouti – all close allies of Sudan – “the need to make every effort to preserve stability and safety”. — NNN-AGENCIES
