Saudi Arabia and the US yesterday called for the extension of a ceasefire deal that has brought some let-up in a six-week war between military factions, but said both sides had impeded aid efforts and were posturing for further escalation.
Clashes could be heard overnight and yesterday in the capital Khartoum, residents said, while human rights monitors reported deadly fighting in El Fashir, one of the principal cities in the western region of Darfur.
The conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted on April 15 has left the capital reeling from heavy battles, lawlessness and a collapse in services, driving nearly 1.4 million people from their homes and threatening to destabilise the region.
A week-long ceasefire brokered in Saudi Arabia and US-led talks in Jeddah are due to run until yesterday evening.
Both countries are remotely monitoring the truce and called on the army and the RSF to renew the ‘imperfectly observed’ ceasefire to allow for humanitarian work.
“There were violations by both parties that significantly impeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services,” Saudi Arabia and the US said in a joint statement.
The statement cited breaches of the truce, including air strikes and commandeering of medical supplies by the army, and the occupation of civilian buildings and looting by the RSF.
“Both parties have told facilitators their goal is de-escalation to facilitate humanitarian assistance and essential repairs, yet both parties are posturing for further escalation,” it said.
The RSF has said it is ready to discuss the possibility of renewal.