The warring military forces in Sudan have exchanged accusations of new violations of the ceasefire as the bloody conflict continues for the third consecutive week, despite warnings of a potential descent into catastrophic civil war. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured since the longstanding power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces escalated into conflict on April 15.
The ongoing fighting in Khartoum has led to the Rapid Support Forces spreading throughout the city as the army attempts to target them with airstrikes using drones and fighter jets. The conflict has driven tens of thousands to flee across the Sudanese borders, raising warnings about the potential disintegration of the country, which would destabilize an already volatile region. It has also prompted foreign countries to expedite the evacuation of their citizens, with the number of foreign nationals evacuated via Port Sudan reaching 9,170, according to the port's emergency room.
The Rapid Support Forces stated that the "Sudanese army did not adhere to the announced humanitarian truce and used the medical supply hospital in Omdurman as a platform for shelling our forces' medical headquarters in Shambat," adding that "aircraft are still flying over Khartoum and bombing innocent civilians in residential neighborhoods." They confirmed their full commitment to the "announced humanitarian truce in respect of their obligations to regional and international parties," and pledged to continue "opening safe passages for citizens and evacuating foreign nationals."
In contrast, the Sudanese army stated that "the situation is stable across all Sudanese states, and our monitoring of the Rapid Support Forces' movements confirms their ongoing attempts to strengthen their position on the ground, and we will continue to confront them." In a statement, it noted, "The country inherited a heavy burden due to the past regime's strategic error in forming the Rapid Support Forces," assuring that "we will not allow any abnormalities to reemerge in the country's military structure, and our forces have managed to reduce the combat capabilities of the Rapid Support Forces by 45-55%."
Over 800,000 individuals may flee Sudan
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees' assistant, Raouf Mazou, stated on Monday that "over 800,000 people may flee Sudan as a result of the ongoing clashes between the warring military factions." He added that "the estimate includes about 580,000 Sudanese, while the rest are refugees temporarily residing there." The Saudi foreign ministry noted that nationals from 102 countries, including Sudan, have been evacuated.
For its part, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Secretary of State, Vedant Patel, mentioned on Monday that U.S.-organized convoys have helped groups of American citizens, their families, and individuals from partner countries reach safety in Port Sudan since Saturday, stating that "the convoys have assisted over 700 people."
**The "World Food Program" Resumes Its Work**
On another note, the World Food Program (WFP) announced on Monday that it would "immediately lift the suspension of its activities in Sudan after having to do so following the killing of three of its staff members there." Cindy McCain, the program's Executive Director, wrote on Twitter: "The WFP is rapidly resuming our programs to provide the life-saving assistance that many so desperately need right now."
The WFP had suspended its operations "temporarily" on April 16, following the killing of three staff members in the clashes. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs stated on Monday that the situation in Sudan is catastrophic and "we need to find ways to deliver aid," emphasizing the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
**Extension of the Humanitarian Truce**
Both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army confirmed their agreement to extend the humanitarian truce, which was set to expire at midnight yesterday (22:00 GMT), for an additional 72 hours, a move that the Rapid Support Forces claimed was made in "response to international, regional, and local calls."
The army expressed hope that the rebels would adhere to the requirements of implementing the truce, revealing that it had "destroyed convoys of the Rapid Support Forces while they moved from the west to Khartoum." The Sudanese Sovereignty Council indicated that "the African Union President, Felix Tshisekedi, called during a discussion with Burhan for the necessity of calming down and ceasing escalation, reiterating that he would launch an initiative to address the situation in Sudan." The Council added that "Tshisekedi hopes the parties in Sudan will accept the proposed African Union initiative."
Explosions were heard this morning in the vicinity of the presidential palace in Khartoum.
**No Direct Negotiations**
UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Sudan, Volker Perthes, stated to reporters in Port Sudan: "There are no direct negotiations but preparations for talks," noting that "countries in the region and around the world are reaching out to both sides."
Army Commander General Abdel Fattah Burhan emphasized that he "will never sit down with the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemetti."
**Medical Aid and Rising Death Toll**
The Sudanese Doctors' Syndicate announced that the number of civilian deaths since the beginning of the clashes has reached 436 and the injured to 2,175, noting that "all hospitals and health facilities in the city of Geneina remain out of service until now." The refugee commission urgently called for assistance for refugees fleeing Sudan to Chad due to the escalating conflict, stating that "between 10,000 and 20,000 people have been forced to flee and sought refuge in Chad in search of safety."
With the UN announcing that "only 16% of health facilities in Khartoum are operating normally," the International Committee of the Red Cross delivered eight tons of medical supplies. Patrick Youssef, the ICRC's regional director for Africa, pointed out that "healthcare workers in Sudan are doing the impossible as they care for the injured amid the lack of water, electricity, and basic medical supplies," noting that "while approval for supplies to reach Khartoum occurred, negotiations are underway with both sides to facilitate their delivery within the city, where hospitals, convoys, and ambulances are under attack."
UN Aid Coordinator Martin Griffiths will travel to the region "to explore how to provide immediate relief to millions of people whose lives have turned upside down overnight." Griffiths called for "a safe passage for civilians fleeing the fighting" and urged combatants to refrain from using medical personnel, transport, and medical facilities as shields.
At least five aid workers have been killed during the fighting. The Ministry of Health reported that "at least 528 people have been killed, and 4,599 others have been injured." The United Nations announced a similar death toll but believes the real number is much higher.
