six aid trucks were looted and air strikes in the capital Khartoum undermined a supposed truce on Wednesday. The United Nations has pressed the warring factions in Sudan to guarantee the safe passage of humanitarian aid.
“We will need to have an agreement at the highest level and very publicly. This is to allow for movement of staff and supplies,” said U.N. aid head Martin Griffiths.
Having escaped the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than two weeks. He spoke from Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast.
Even though both sides had agreed to prolong a succession of tenuous and broken truces for another week starting Thursday. Air strikes were still heard in Khartoum and the neighboring towns of Omdurman and Bahri on Wednesday.
Peace talks were pushed for by international mediators. Sudan’s armed forces announced they would send an envoy to meet with their counterparts in South Sudan, Kenya, and Djibouti.
On Tuesday, Sudan reported that 550 people had been killed and 4,926 had been injured in the war. The U.N. estimates that 100,000 people have fled to nearby nations in search of food and water.
In a country of 46 million people, where approximately a third were already dependent on disaster aid. Delivery of aid has been delayed.
According to Griffiths, the World Food Programme (WFP) informed him that six of their trucks were robbed while on their way to the western part of Darfur despite guarantees of safety and security. WFP did not immediately respond.
In light of the current political climate, Griffiths emphasized the need for firm promises. We are not asking for the stars. We’re pleading for the freedom of humanitarian aid and individuals.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the army, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, head of the paramilitary, must be told by the international community that the current situation is intolerable, according to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Nairobi.
He said that the two generals should be put under pressure to end the war. Start talking, and facilitate a transition to civilian rule.
Dafallah Alhaj, an envoy for Burhan, said in Cairo that the army has welcomed negotiations but that there would be no direct connection between the RSF and the military.
The RSF has not made a comment on South Sudan’s claims that the warring parties have agreed to a ceasefire. This past Wednesday, Hemedti tweeted that he was dedicated to “opening and securing safe corridors.”
Khartoum and the surrounding cities at the meeting of the White and Blue Niles have been abandoned by thousands. Jets from the army have begun dropping bombs on RSF groups, some of which have reportedly gone into residential areas around the city.
Salma, a resident of Omdurman, stated, “If I hear the (army) air strikes I feel safe because at least I know the RSF won’t come into my house.” I fought against (deposed tyrant Omar al-) Bashir and army control, but today I’m safe because of my protests.
Due to power outages, a lack of gasoline, and damage to water infrastructure, some areas of Khartoum are experiencing acute water shortages. Most hospitals have closed down and are no longer providing care.
RSF formed from tribal militias who fought with government troops to suppress insurgents in a battle that lasted for 20 years.
Two years ago, the army and RSF collaborated in a coup and shared power as part of a transition towards free elections and a civilian administration with international support.
