EAC calls for cessation of hostilities in Sudan
Civilians caught in crossfire amid conflict between rival generals in African nation
DAR ES SALAM, Tanzania — The East African Community (EAC) has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to avoid further loss of life, injuries and damage to property.
Fighting between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan has killed about 270 people and wounded more than 2,600 as of April 18, UN humanitarians said.
After days of fighting, Sudan’s rival generals agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire, though the truce was quickly disrupted by gunfire.
Members of the EAC are Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The group called on the warring parties in Sudan to seek an amicable settlement through the available conflict resolution mechanisms at the regional, continental and international levels, according to a statement issued on April 18 by the EAC headquarters in Tanzania’s northern city of Arusha.
“We appreciate efforts that have been made so far by the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development, the African Union and the UN to resolve the conflict,” said the statement, adding that the EAC stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan in the quest for peace.
A virtual meeting on Sudan, on April 20, brought together UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the chairperson of the African Union, the secretary-general of the Arab League, the executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and other relevant organizations.
Guterres spoke to President William Ruto of Kenya earlier, and talked with the chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres.
Volker Perthes, the secretary-general’s special representative in Sudan, continues to engage with the parties, as well as key Sudanese leaders and member states, in trying to secure an immediate de-escalation of the fighting and working on the 24-hour ceasefire, Dujarric said.
The continued heavy fighting in
Sudan is having devastating consequences for Sudanese civilians as well as UN staff and other members of the international community.
A 24-hour cease-fire starting in the evening of April 18 was reached but never materialized. The Sudanese Armed Forces agreed to a truce on the condition that they ensure the arrest of the RSF, Al Arabiya reported, citing Sudanese army general Shems al-Din Kabbashi.
RSF leader general Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said the RSF approved the 24-hour cease-fire to ensure the safe passage of civilians and the evacuation of the wounded.
The UN has called the situation a “humanitarian catastrophe”. Heavy weaponry has been used in densely populated areas, and hospitals have been caught in the crossfire.
Experts warn of a near collapse of Sudan’s healthcare system. Twelve hospitals in the capital Khartoum had to shut down due to damage from fighting or lack of medical supplies.
“The truth is that, at the moment, it is almost impossible to provide any humanitarian services in and around Khartoum. There are calls from various organizations and people trapped asking for evacuation. For the past four days, people have been out of water (and) food. Electricity has been rationed —in some places totally disconnected,” said Farid Aiywar, Sudan delegation head, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Aid workers have been targeted and there have been reports of sexual violence against them, according to the UN. Three World Food Program workers have been killed and a UN plane was hit in the crossfire.
Civilians trapped in Khartoum say the events have been harrowing.
“I consider this to be the toughest Ramadan in Sudan. No one can buy their daily needs. Military clashes continue during the night, the fighting parties cannot figure out if you are a civilian or a militant,” Mahmoud Alameen, a Sudanese activist and humanitarian worker who fled Khartoum, told reporters.
Another Khartoum resident named Mai told Reuters: “It’s a great struggle, no water, no electricity. There’s panic and fear. We haven’t slept for four days, the children are terrified.”