Paramilitary Forces Agree to 72-Hour Eid Truce, No Response From Army
Background
At least 350 people have died and thousands have been wounded since fighting erupted between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the weekend. The unrest came after months of tensions between the two groups, which were once allies in the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir but have since become rivals.
Agreement to Truce
In a surprise move, the RSF announced that they would be observing a 72-hour ceasefire in honor of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. The announcement came as a relief to many Sudanese civilians who have been caught in the crossfire between the two armed groups.
The RSF stated that they hoped the ceasefire would lead to negotiations with the army to end the conflict. However, there was no immediate response from the army to the announcement.
Reaction from Civilians
Many Sudanese civilians are cautiously optimistic about the truce. “We hope that the ceasefire will be respected by both sides and we also hope that they will extend it or make it permanent,” said Ahmed Amin, a resident of Khartoum.
However, others remain skeptical. “We have been through this before, and they always promise to stop the fighting during holidays, but it never lasts,” said Khadija Ahmed, a resident of Darfur.
International Community’s Response
The international community has welcomed the truce announcement and called for an end to the violence. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, released a statement saying, “The escalation of violence in Sudan’s Darfur region is particularly worrying, and all parties must take immediate steps to halt the fighting.”
The United Nations also expressed concern about the situation in Sudan and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. “It is imperative that all parties cease hostilities and prioritize the protection of civilians,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
The announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire by the RSF is a positive development in the ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army. However, it remains to be seen if the army will respond to the truce, and if it will be extended beyond the Eid holiday.
For the sake of the Sudanese people, who have suffered enough during years of conflict, both armed groups must come to the negotiating table and find a peaceful solution to their differences. The international community must continue to exert pressure on both sides to ensure that the ceasefire holds and that a lasting peace can be achieved.
