Army and HDK Agree to 72-Hour Ceasefire in Sudan
Sudanese Military and HDK Agree to Extend Humanitarian Ceasefire for 3 More Days
The Sudanese military and the HDK, a rebel group in Sudan, have agreed to extend the humanitarian ceasefire for an additional 72 hours, thanks to the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the United States. The ceasefire started on April 28, but clashes continue between the two groups in different parts of the capital, Khartoum. Both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.
In a statement made by the HDK, it was stated that the extension of the ceasefire was to open humanitarian corridors upon regional and international calls, facilitate the movement of citizens, meet their needs, and enable them to reach safe places. The military also announced that they have decided to extend the ceasefire for 72 more hours.
However, the army accused the HDK of turning a hospital into a military headquarters in the city of Şarku Nile, by evacuating it and filling it with ammunition, including those in intensive care. The decision to close the airspace, except for humanitarian aid and evacuation flights, has also been extended until May 13, according to the Sudan Civil Aviation Authority.
The conflict between the army and the HDK started on April 15, when armed clashes broke out in the capital of Sudan and other cities. The disagreement between the army and the HDK regarding military security reform had turned into a hot conflict in the last few months. Sudan’s Ministry of Health reported that 528 people were killed and 4,599 injured in the clashes that started on April 15.
The ceasefire extension is seen as a positive development in the ongoing conflict, with hopes that it will allow for the provision of much-needed humanitarian aid and the safe evacuation of citizens. However, there is still a long way to go in finding a lasting solution to the conflict between the Sudanese military and the HDK.
