Sudan's warring sides agree to 3-day ceasefire, says Blinken

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks in the briefing room of the State Department in Washington, U.S. January 7, 2022. Image: REUTERS

KHARTOUM, Sudan - The Rapid Support Forces [RSF] have declared a ceasefire in Sudan after weeks of clashes with the Sudan Armed Forces [SAF], the group said on their official Twitter account, citing "agreement" with the United States, but arguing that the temporary reprieve will last only for 72 hours.

Led by Vice President of Transitional Sovereign Council General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the RSF which is yet to agree on terms for integration into the national army, has seized several strategic areas within major towns in Sudan, following deadly clashes which have left over 200 people dead.

Many foreign nationals including Kenyans, Ethiopians, and Somalis are being evacuated from the Horn of Africa nation which is yet to revert to full civilian rule since the ouster of Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The temporary ceasefire, the group says, will allow normalcy and perhaps give innocent civilians "time" to organize themselves.

"Upon mediation by the United States, the Rapid Support Forces have agreed to a 72-hour humanitarian truce, effective at midnight tonight," the group said. "This ceasefire aims to establish humanitarian corridors, allowing citizens and residents to access essential resources, healthcare, and safe zones, while also evacuating diplomatic missions."

All groups leaving the country, RSF said, will get full protection as part of the agreement with the United States. But the paramilitary wing of Sudanese security forces noted that it is not ready to drop its course of fighting for "freedoms and democracy " for the sake of maintaining the rule of law.

"The Rapid Support Forces express their full cooperation, coordination, and commitment to ensuring the safety of expatriates and missions leaving the country. As an integral part of the community, we stand with our people, supporting their pursuit of freedom, justice, democracy, and the rule of law," the group added.

"We pledge our commitment to uphold the ceasefire during the declared armistice and caution against any violations by the opposing party."

Khartoum has been a battleground for a heavy gunfight between the two opposing parties leading to deaths and injuries even as IGAD and the African Union called for an immediate ceasefire and subsequent dialogue between the two parties. The group, however, opposes the Sudanese army targeting her military bases in airstrikes.

The group was created by former President Omar al-Bashir as a paramilitary wing decades after playing a role in the Darfur conflict where thousands of people were reportedly killed. During those times, the RSF was known as Janjaweed and on many occasions, it was cited at the International Criminal Court [ICC] for atrocities committed in Darfur.

GAROWE ONLINE