Sudan's warring sides have agreed on a countrywide ceasefire for 24 hours starting from 06:00 am (04:00 GMT) on Saturday, the US and Saudi Arabia announced in a joint statement. Both countries have been brokering negotiations recently.
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America announce that representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to a 24-hour countrywide ceasefire beginning on June 10 at 6:00 am Khartoum time," the statement read.
It was noted that Sudan's army and the RSF agreed to refrain from "prohibited movements, attacks, use of aircraft or drones, aerial bombardment, artillery strikes, reinforcement of positions and resupply of forces," as well as from seeking military advantage during the ceasefire.
Apart from that, the parties agreed to allow the unimpeded and safe movement of humanitarian assistance throughout the nation.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Sudan, the US and Saudi Arabia have been leading an intensive diplomatic campaign to ensure that the two sides agree to and comply with a ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid to reach people in need. In the latest joint statement, the facilitators expressed frustration with "the uneven implementation of previous ceasefires."
The countries added that the latest initiative is proposed in a bid "to break the cycle of violence." It was highlighted that if the parties fail to observe the truce, they will have to consider adjourning the Jeddah talks, referring to negotiations aimed at ending almost two months of clashes in Sudan.
"We have provided both parties numerous opportunities to end this senseless war. We call on both sides to adhere to the commitment made today for a 24-hour ceasefire, which would allow Sudanese people to receive critical humanitarian assistance," the US State Department's Bureau of African Affairs said in a statement.
On June 8, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the commitment of the international community to bring about peace and stability to the northeastern African nation at a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. He underlined that the US will continue to work "toward a durable cessation of hostilities and the swift formation of a civilian-led transitional government" together with other countries in the Gulf and Africa, as well as with the United Nations.
Clashes broke out between the two Sudanese structures near a military base in the city of Merowe, as well as in the capital, Khartoum, on April 15. According to the Sudan Doctors' Union, at least 866 civilians have been killed since the fighting erupted. The United Nations estimates that over 1.6 million are displaced by continuing violence.