25 million in need of aid in Sudan as clashes threaten Saudi-brokered ceasefire

A ceasefire struck between the Sudanese army and the rival paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces is under threat as clashes broke out in the capital city on Wednesday (24 May).

The week-long ceasefire was agreed after talks in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on Saturday (20 May). The ceasefire, which was due to come into force on Monday evening with an internationally-supported monitoring mechanism, was supposed to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Violence has also been reported in the western region of Darfur.

Reuters reports that the ceasefire had brought a relative lull in fighting on Tuesday, but a meaningful uptick in humanitarian relief did not materialise. Previous ceasefires struck between the Sudanese army and the RSF have also failed to stop the violence.

25 million people in need of aid

Since fighting broke out on 15 April as the warring parties failed to reach an agreement over a transition to a civilian government, humanitarian conditions in Sudan have become increasingly desperate, with reports of food, water and power shortages in the capital city, Khartoum, which have been further compounded by widespread looting.

Around 1.3 million people have reportedly fled their homes in a crisis that threatens to destabilise the whole region. More than 1 million people have been displaced inside Sudan, with some 300,000 having fled to neighbouring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

The UN reports that some 25 million people in Sudan are now in need of aid, which is over half the population.

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Reuters

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Volodymyr Zelensky is only partially welcome at the NATO summit in The Hague.

Volodymyr Zelensky is only partially welcome at the NATO summit in The Hague.

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will only be welcome at the dinner for heads of state and government leaders at the Huis ten Bosch Palace during the summit. This is evident from the summit programme, announced on Monday (16 June). In previous years, the Ukrainian head of state was given a much more prominent place in the programme. The United States, under the leadership of president Donald Trump, objected to Zelensky's invitation to this year's summit.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Volodymyr Zelensky is only partially welcome at the NATO summit in The Hague.

Volodymyr Zelensky is only partially welcome at the NATO summit in The Hague.

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will only be welcome at the dinner for heads of state and government leaders at the Huis ten Bosch Palace during the summit. This is evident from the summit programme, announced on Monday (16 June). In previous years, the Ukrainian head of state was given a much more prominent place in the programme. The United States, under the leadership of president Donald Trump, objected to Zelensky's invitation to this year's summit.