April 26
The Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces promised to lay down their weapons to "facilitate humanitarian efforts." They agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire, starting Tuesday, that was brokered by US and Saudi negotiators. However, the fighting flared up again within hours.
Officials with the World Health Organization say more than 450 people have been killed in the ten days of violence. The United Nations refugee agency says up to 270,000 Sudanese may flee to neighboring countries. Thousands of foreign nationals have joined the exodus.
Those who remain are once again at risk of getting caught in the crossfire. Dozens were hurt when a shell hit a medical center after the ceasefire was announced. Many are scrambling to find medicine, food, and water.
WHO officials are also warning of a "high risk of biological hazard." Some fighters seized a laboratory containing samples of cholera, polio, and other diseases. That has raised fears that civilians who remain will be in even greater danger.
US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said officials in the Biden administration are coordinating with their partners, including those in Sudan, to push for a "permanent cessation of hostilities."
He added that it would be important for a ceasefire to not just represent the will of the Sudanese people, but to allow access to humanitarian aid.
NHK
