Rival forces ‘posturing’ for escalation

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia and the United States called on Sunday for the extension of a ceasefire deal that has brought some let-up in a six-week war between military factions, but said both sides had impeded aid efforts and were posturing for further escalation.

Clashes could be heard overnight and on Sunday in the capital Khartoum, residents said, while human rights monitors reported deadly fighting in El Fashir, one of the principal cities in the western region of Darfur.

The conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted on April 15 has left the capital reeling from heavy battles, lawlessness and a collapse in services, driving nearly 1.4 million people from their homes and threatening to destabilise the region.

A week-long ceasefire brokered in Saudi Arabia and US-led talks in Jeddah were due to run until yesterday evening.

Both are monitoring the truce and called on the army and the RSF to renew the “imperfectly observed” ceasefire to allow for humanitarian work.

“There were violations by both parties that significantly impeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services,” Saudi and the US said in a joint statement.

The statement cited breaches of the truce, including air strikes and commandeering of medical supplies by the army, and the occupation of civilian buildings and looting by the RSF.

“Both parties have told facilitators their goal is de-escalation to facilitate humanitarian assistance and essential repairs, yet both parties are posturing for further escalation,” it said.

The RSF has said it is ready to discuss the possibility of renewal and that it would continue to monitor the truce “to test the seriousness and commitment of the other party to proceed with the renewal of the agreement or not”.

The army said it was discussing the possibility of an extension.

Nearly 350,000 people have crossed Sudan’s borders since the fighting erupted, with the largest numbers heading north to Egypt from Khartoum or west to Chad from Darfur.

In Khartoum, factories, offices, homes and banks have been looted or destroyed. Power, water and phone lines are often cut, there are shortages of medicines and medical equipment, and food supplies have been running low.

“We left because of the impact of the war. I have children and I fear for them because of the lack of medical treatment,” Samia Suleiman, 29, told Reuters from the road to Egypt. “I also want my children to have a chance of schooling. I don’t think things in Khartoum will be restored soon.”