Sudan: Hope for Eid Ceasefire Fizzles

The hope for momentary peace during the Muslim holiday of Eid in Sudan’s capital of Khartoum was abruptly shattered as gunfire was heard on Wednesday morning, 28 June.

A 72-hour ceasefire agreement was mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and set last Sunday, 18 June.

However, fighting erupted in the capital on the eve of Eid al-Adha (Tuesday, 27 June) and continued into the morning of the following day.

Reports claim that the warring factions have concentrated their fighting around nearby military bases, with the paramilitary RSF defending the recently captured main police headquarters while also maintaining their dominant hold on most northern territories in the area.

Multiple international aid groups, such as Doctors Without Borders, have provided much-needed supplies and medical attention to those caught in the middle of the conflict, but fears that the violence will spread are slowly being realised as local rebel groups in other parts of the country, including the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, take up arms against the Sudanese armed forces.

Approximately 2 800 people have lost their lives ever since the conflict started in mid-April. Many civilians remain indoors while the fighting rages outside in the streets and from city block to city block.

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