Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces announce 72 hrs Eid truce

Sudan’s paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has announced a ceasefire amid heavy fighting with the army in the capital Khartoum. The 72-hour ceasefire announced by the RSF came into effect on Friday at 6 AM local time, marking the beginning of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. However, there was no word from the army on whether it would observe a ceasefire. There have been a series of failed attempts at ceasefires since the violent power struggle broke out last weekend between the army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, which is led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The death toll from clashes between Sudan’s Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has risen to 330, with 3,200 injuries, the World Health Organization reported. 

As per reports, bombing and shelling was reported in several areas of Khartoum after the 6am ceasefire was due to commence. According to UN report, about 20,000 people had fled lashes in Darfur to seek safety in neighbouring Chad, with many lacking basic requirements such as food, water and shelter.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and discussed the worsening situation in Sudan, and United Nations Secretary-General appealed to the warring factions to observe a three-day truce over Eid and allow civilians to reach safety. At least 350 people have been killed in the fighting so far.