Sudan’s warring military factions have accused each other of violating a ceasefire brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.
According to the French news agency AFP, in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daqlou, blamed the ceasefire violations on the army led by Sudan’s de facto leader, Abdel Fattah al-Barhan.
According to the RSF statement, “The army launched a series of unprovoked attacks today.” Our forces repulsed these attacks decisively. Our forces successfully shot down the MiG jet.
The statement reiterated that they are committed to a humanitarian ceasefire.
On the other hand, the Sudanese army responded to this statement on Thursday morning and said that it countered the attack on the armoured vehicles by the Rapid Support Forces, which is a clear violation of the ceasefire.
Between Saturday and Sunday, Sudan’s warring military factions agreed to a new short-term ceasefire agreement.
The United States and Saudi Arabia said in a joint statement that Sudan’s military and Rapid Support Forces in the coastal city of Jeddah had signed a seven-day ceasefire agreement that would take effect Monday night at 9:45 p.m. local time.
According to the statement, the war can be extended if both sides agree.
Reports of violations emerged minutes after the ceasefire came into effect, with residents of the capital, Khartoum, reporting airstrikes and gunfire.
This was followed by further violations of the ceasefire aimed at allowing much-needed humanitarian aid access to the war-torn regions of the North African country.
Since April 15, Khartoum and other parts of the country have been in the grip of a brutal war between the army, the Sudanese Armed Forces, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Although there have been recent ceasefire violations, there has been a reduction in the intensity of the fighting, causing fearful residents to cautiously leave their homes after several weeks.
After six weeks of fighting, many people have left their homes to seek food, water and much-needed medical aid as the strained conditions have brought the health care system to the brink of collapse.
The United States, which is mediating the ceasefire along with Saudi Arabia, has warned the warring parties against further violations.
The State Department says observers have identified fighting in both the capital Khartoum and the western region of Darfur, along with artillery, drones and military aircraft.
“We have seen continued ceasefire violations,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. We retain the power of sanctions and will not hesitate to exercise that power if appropriate.”