‘For humanitarian corridor’ — Sudan RSF agrees to 72-hour cease-fire, asks army to comply

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a para-military group in Sudan, has agreed to a 72-hour cease-fire plea from the United States.

RSF asked Sudan’s military to do the same.

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military head, and Mohamed Dagalo, RSF leader, have been involved in a violent power struggle that has claimed hundreds of lives since last Saturday.

Several ceasefire “agreements” by both sides, including a three-day halt to mark Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday which started on Friday, have been ignored minutes into the truce launch.

However, in a statement on Monday, Antony Blinken, US secretary of state, said the military and the RSF had agreed to hold fire for 72 hours.

Blinken said it was a step in brokering a permanent halt to the violence.

“The SAF and RSF have agreed to implement and uphold a 72-hour nationwide ceasefire starting midnight, April 24,” he said.

“We welcome their commitment to work with partners and stakeholders for permanent cessation of hostilities and humanitarian arrangements.”

The RSF said it would honour its end of the deal and provide necessary facilities that enable expatriates and missions to leave the country safely.

“Based on mediation from the United States of America, the Rapid Support Forces agreed to a humanitarian truce for a period of 72 hours, starting at midnight tonight, in order to open humanitarian corridors, facilitate the movement of citizens and residents, enable them to fulfill their needs, reach hospitals and safe areas, and evacuate diplomatic missions,” the statement reads.

“The Rapid Support Forces affirm their full readiness to cooperate, coordinate and provide all facilities that enable expatriates and missions to leave the country safely. The Rapid Support Forces, from the womb of these people, stand by them, support their choices, and strive to achieve their legitimate aspirations for freedom, justice, democracy, and the rule of law.

“We affirm our commitment during the period of the declared armistice to the complete cease-fire, and we warn against the continued violations of the second party in non-compliance with the armistice.”