Sudan warring parties agree to 7 days truce

The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to a week ceasefire yesterday.

This followed President Salva Kiir’s conversation with the Sudanese leaders on May 2, 2023, according to the South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation.

In a statement released yesterday, Pauline Adhong Malok, the Spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the two principals, Gen. Abdel Fatah AI Burhan, the Chairman of the Sovereign Council and Commander in Chief of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo Leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have agreed in principle for a seven-day cease-fire from May 4 to 11h.

She said the two leaders also agreed to name their representatives to the talks.

 “The humanitarian situation and the evacuation of affected Sudanese and foreign nationals as well as the coordination efforts at various levels are needed,” Pauline said.

“The Acting Minister of foreign Affairs and with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Commonwealth and the rest dwelling on the issues of ceasefire, and cessation of hostilities in Sudan,” she added.

Pauline said President Kiir told the Sudanese leaders that the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Khartoum should make it imperative for the leaders to de-escalate the conflict.

, adding that the president has urged the Sudanese leaders to name their representatives and propose a date to commence the talks as soon as possible.

Pauline said while expressing his appreciation to Gen. Al Burhan and Gen. Dagalo for heading regional and international calls for a ceasefire, President Kiir urged them to take advantage of the 7-day truce to name representatives and propose the date for beginning the talks.

She said in line with the initiatives of President Kiir, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Deng Dau Deng has also been in contact with his counterparts in the region and internationally.

Pauline added that the government of South Sudan would continue to engage the leadership of Sudan to explore the prospects of narrowing the gap between the two parties in the hope to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and cessation of hostilities that can pave the way for an amicable political settlement.