Violence during the end of Ramadan celebrations, over 400 victims of the clashes of these days. The army is “only ready to discuss the terms of a surrender”, columns of men against the paramilitaries are seen in Khartoum
It was supposed to be a 72-hour truce coinciding with the end of the fast for Ramadam (Eid al-Fitr), the day that marks the end of the holy month for Islam which is usually a holiday.
but, despite the declaration by the paramilitary rapid support forces (RSF), of a ceasefire in force since six this morning, no stop to the violence has once again been respected. no comment followed from the regular Sudanese army (SAF), which also said it was open to an agreement. At dawn today, April 21, the RSF denounced the failure to respect the brief truce in a tweet.
the new “ceasefire proposed by the paramilitaries starting at six” this morning was “rejected by the military” who have “columns” of their men “on the move in various parts of the capital to dislodge the paramilitaries”: he reports a qualified knowledgeable sourceon the progress of the RSF conflict with the army in Sudan.Meanwhile, heavy figures are arriving on the civilian death toll. 413 people died and 3,551 were injured in the clashes between the two armies contending for power. WHO reported it. Unicef added that among the victims there are at least nine children killed and more than 50 injured.
Heavy fighting still erupted amid the call to prayer in the Sudanese capital, where mosques are expected to hold morning services inside to protect the faithful
The Sudanese army has officially ruled out negotiations, stating that to end the crisis it is only ready to discuss the terms of their surrender. “There will be no armed forces outside the military system,” he warned in a statement.
Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah Burhan said he was committed to the transition to civilian rule: “We are confident that we will pass this test with our training, wisdom and strength, preserving the security and unity of the state, allowing us to entrust thesafe transition to civilian rule,” he said in a video posted today to mark the Muslim holiday.
.The alarm is also growing for the health system now on its last legs, many hospitals do not have medical resources and personnel due to lack of supplies, denounced the WHO. many residents in the last few hours have tried to take advantage of the uncertainty of the truce to escape from the homes where they have been trapped for days. the doctors’ union denounced the non-compliance with the truce: “During the night several districts of Khartoum were bombed and are still being bombed and clashes between the army and (the paramilitaries) of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)”. “Huge numbers” of people, mostly women and children, are leaving in search of safer areas, said Atiya Abdulla Atiya, union secretary.
the country has been in chaos since 2019 since President Omar al-Bashir in power for thirty years was ousted and after the 2021 coup that was supposed to lead to a civilian government.
world leaders and international organizations have urged RSF and SAF to conclude an agreement mainly to protect civilian populations who fall victim to the crossfire between the two rival armies. the UN, the EU, the African Union and even Pope Francis have launched several appeals for a ceasefire and to mediate in favor of the cessation of hostilities
