Sudan's warring parties have agreed to a new 72-hour ceasefire on Sunday, US and Saudi Arabia mediators have announced.
"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 72-hour ceasefire across Sudan beginning on June 18 at 6:00 a.m. Khartoum time until June 21," the mediators said in a statement.
According to media reports, the truce comes amid an intensification of fighting in Khartoum, with airstrikes killing 17 civilians, including five children. It was also noted that hundreds of wounded have recently fled from Darfur over the border into Chad.
The mediators underlined that during the truce, both sides should refrain from such prohibited activities as using military aircraft or drones, airstrikes, or reinforcement of positions. It was emphasized that the parties should consider "the immense suffering of the Sudanese people and adhere fully to this ceasefire and cease the severity of violence."
"The parties agreed that during the ceasefire they will refrain from prohibited movements, attacks, [...] and will refrain from seeking military advantage during the ceasefire. They also agreed to allow the unimpeded movement and delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout the country," read the statement.
Since the beginning of hostilities in mid-April, multiple truces have been agreed and broken. In May, after another failed attempt to observe a ceasefire, the US rolled out sanctions targeting actors in Sudan. According to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the move came despite a ceasefire agreement, as "senseless violence" continued across the nation, hampering the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
A 24-hour ceasefire agreed upon earlier this month didn't last long, with shelling and gunfire resuming in the Sudanese capital after its end.
Violent clashes erupted 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 Sudanese Ministry of Health, more than 866 people have been killed and 6083 more injured since the start of fighting. Moreover, the UN estimated that nearly two million people have been displaced, including 476,000 who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.