Clashes continue in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army in various areas, especially the capital Khartoum, despite the army indicating late yesterday evening that its leader, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Burhan, had given his preliminary approval for a 72-hour extension of the truce and for sending a military envoy to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to conduct talks. Meanwhile, the Rapid Support Forces pointed out that "the army attacked their camp in the Kafouri area this morning, using aircraft and artillery." Witnesses reported hearing the sounds of airstrikes and anti-aircraft defense in Khartoum and the neighboring cities of Omdurman and Bahri.
On Thursday, the Sudanese army issued a statement confirming its agreement to extend the truce for 72 hours based on the efforts made by both Saudi and American sides to help quell the situation in Sudan. It added that "the military situation inside and outside Khartoum is very stable, except for West Darfur," revealing that "the Rapid Support Forces are still using indiscriminate shelling in central Khartoum," announcing that "the coming days will witness a significant breakthrough in the situation on the ground." The army had previously clarified that "the presidents of South Sudan, Kenya, and Djibouti were working on a proposal that included extending the truce and conducting talks between the two parties," noting that "Burhan expressed his preliminary approval for that and thanked the representatives of the organization for their efforts and interest in the current crisis." No response has been issued by the Rapid Support Forces regarding the proposal to extend the truce.
At this time, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Ahmed confirmed that "the African Union and the European Union are making significant efforts to end the war in Khartoum." Previously, the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces agreed to a ceasefire for three days, which was set to expire late Thursday evening.
#### Humanitarian Aid Passage
On another note, the Sudan Doctors Syndicate announced in a statement that "the number of civilian deaths since the beginning of the clashes has risen to 303, and the number of injuries to 1,848," confirming that "60 out of 86 hospitals in the conflict areas have stopped working, in the capital and the states." Fred Abdelqader, director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent offices in Sudan, noted that "the parties to the conflict have ensured the passage of humanitarian aid. There are 6 million people in Khartoum alone in need of assistance, in addition to over 20,000 refugees who have fled towards Chad." He stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that "the Egyptian Red Crescent has launched a program for those wishing to leave for Egypt," emphasizing that "we need to deliver basic food assistance to the Sudanese."
#### Ongoing Evacuations… and Looting
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced the "evacuation of 897 people from Sudan on 8 British flights, with more flights to come." He added that "the truce in Sudan has contributed to the evacuation of foreign nationals." British Minister of State for African Affairs Andrew Mitchell confirmed that "there is a potential humanitarian disaster in Sudan." Meanwhile, the French Foreign Ministry reported the "evacuation of 936 people from Sudan so far," noting that "the latest evacuation operation from Sudan included French citizens and nationals from other countries, including Britain and America," reiterating its call for "an end to the fighting." The Australian government urged its citizens in Sudan to "leave urgently before the expiration of the truce between the fighting parties." Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson announced the completion of "evacuation operations in Sudan after the transfer of 160 people, including 60 Swedish citizens." The Chinese Ministry of Defense stated that "the army has sent ships to Sudan to evacuate Chinese nationals," indicating that "the security situation in Khartoum continues to deteriorate." The U.S. State Department stated that "Secretary Antony Blinken discussed with African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mohamed cooperation toward a sustainable ceasefire in Sudan." A Reuters correspondent reported that "the fiercest battles on Wednesday took place in Omdurman adjacent to Khartoum, where the army confronted rapid reinforcements from the Rapid Support Forces that arrived from other areas in Sudan. Heavy gunfire and airstrikes were heard."
The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced that a total of about 2,744 people have been evacuated from Sudan. In Khartoum, which, along with the adjacent cities of Omdurman and Bahri, represents one of the largest urban areas in Africa, the feeling of lawlessness has intensified with the spread of looting and theft gangs. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry reported that 16,000 people crossed the border from Sudan into Egypt, including 14,000 Sudanese. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry announced that two evacuation planes arrived from Sudan to Baghdad on Thursday afternoon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in Lebanon reported the arrival of the second and final group of Lebanese in Jeddah, who were evacuated from Sudan aboard a Saudi Navy ship, preparing for their swift return to Lebanon. The ministry announced the nearing completion of the evacuation process, noting that in case of necessity, they could contact the Lebanese ambassador in Sudan, Dima Haddad, at the following number for any possible assistance: (+249901748097).
#### 50,000 Children Suffering from Malnutrition
The World Health Organization confirmed that "only 16% of health facilities in the city are still operational." New data from the United Nations estimated that "around 50,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition have had their treatment disrupted due to the conflict, and hospitals still operational are facing shortages of medical supplies, electricity, and water." The crisis has prompted an increasing number of refugees to cross the borders of Sudan, with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimating that 270,000 people may have fled to South Sudan and Chad alone.
Evacuated foreigners from Khartoum described the situation, stating: "Bodies are scattered in the streets, buildings are burning, residential areas have turned into battlefields, along with young men wandering with large bladed weapons."
#### Concerns About Resurrecting Loyalist Influence
Civilian groups fear that the violence might enable the army to tighten its grip and resurrect the influence of loyalists to al-Bashir. The army confirmed the transfer of al-Bashir (79 years old), who was ousted in 2019, from Kober Prison in Khartoum to a military hospital along with at least five officials from his former regime before the fighting broke out on April 15. Earlier this week, thousands of prisoners were released from prison, including a former minister in al-Bashir's government wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes.
#### Mediation Efforts
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the British ambassador in Sudan is speaking with both warring parties in the country to urge them to extend the ongoing 72-hour ceasefire, which ends tonight. He added to reporters, "The British ambassador continues to talk with the warring parties in Sudan. In this context, we certainly support the extension of the ceasefire and are pushing for it."
#### Darfur
The fighting has revived a two-decade-old conflict in the Darfur region, with clashes occurring in several cities over the past two weeks. Residents in the town of Geneina in Darfur reported that the main fighting seems to have stopped, and some people have returned home after a militia attack destroyed the town's market, hospital, and other public buildings. Zamzam Adam (23 years old) fled from Darfur to a camp in Chad after being stranded while waiting to give birth when armed militias attacked and looted her village near Geneina. Zamzam said, "Armed men came to our village, burned and looted the houses, and we had to flee."
