Sudan's army has expressed willingness to extend a shaky ceasefire for a further 72 hours amid continuing battles with the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the outskirts of the capital Khartoum. The US State Department and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat have also discussed ways to work together to end the fighting in Sudan, with the UN refugee agency estimating 270,000 people could flee into South Sudan and Chad alone.
Since fighting erupted in Sudan on April 15, at least 512 people have been killed in air raids and artillery attacks. An estimated 50,000 acutely malnourished children have had treatment disrupted due to the conflict, and those hospitals still functioning are facing shortages of medical supplies, power, and water. The crisis has sent growing numbers of refugees across Sudan’s borders.
A regional trading bloc has called for an extension to a 72-hour ceasefire between the Sudanese army and RSF. Fighting intensified in Sudan's war-ravaged province of Darfur during a three-day truce between the country's battling top generals, killing dozens of people.
The truce eased fighting in Khartoum but created a lull that allowed foreign governments to evacuate thousands of their nationals. Residents reported widespread looting and destruction of government offices as well as aid agencies’ compounds within Khartoum including U.N premises and facilities belonging to the Sudanese Red Crescent Society.
The ongoing conflict in Genena has created dire conditions for many struggling residents who now face difficulty obtaining food or access clean drinking water; electricity is cut off across much of Khartoum along with other cities throughout this region.
Sudan's President Salva Kiir stated that he accepts "the proposal for implementing an immediate cease-fire lasting three days so civilians can access food and other services necessary for their survival." This ceasefire extension could provide a small window of hope for the people in Sudan, who are facing increasing hardships amidst ongoing conflict.