KHARTOUM: Sudan’s warring factions began a 24-hour ceasefire on Saturday, raising hopes for a respite from the ongoing violence. However, doubts loomed large among the civilian population, who remained skeptical about the genuineness of the truce. Concerns are heightened, with previous attempts at ceasefires having crumbled, prompting mediators from the United States and Saudi Arabia to caution that they may withdraw from their mediation efforts.
Within three hours of the truce taking effect, residents in different areas of the capital, Khartoum, reported that the shelling and air strikes that had plagued the city since mid-April had temporarily ceased. People took advantage of the lull to stock up on essential goods, such as fruits, which had been in short supply.
The civilians, caught in the crossfire in greater Khartoum and the volatile western region of Darfur, are desperate for relief from the relentless bloodshed but expressed deep skepticism regarding the sincerity of the warring generals. The limited scope of the one-day truce disappointed many, who yearned for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
Aly Verjee, a researcher at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg specializing in Sudan, expressed doubts about the likelihood of this truce holding any more than its predecessors. Verjee noted that the underlying incentives for both parties had not changed significantly, casting doubt on the chances of a different outcome. The short duration of the truce further diminished hopes for a substantial breakthrough.
Casualties in Sudan Fighting
Since the beginning of the fighting, over 1,800 people have lost their lives, as reported by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Additionally, the United Nations states that nearly two million people have suffered displacement, with 476,000 seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The mediators from Saudi Arabia and the United States (US) acknowledged the frustration of the Sudanese people with the inconsistent implementation of previous truces. The Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced its commitment to the ceasefire, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Burhan’s former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also pledged full compliance.
Both parties emphasized the potential of the truce to facilitate humanitarian efforts but warned against violations by their adversaries. The mediators hoped that the 24-hour ceasefire would create an opportunity for confidence-building measures, which could ultimately lead to the resumption of talks in Jeddah.
In a related development, Sudanese authorities loyal to Al-Burhan declared United Nations envoy Volker Perthes “persona non grata” on Thursday, accusing him of bias. However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed support for Perthes, asserting that the concept of persona non grata does not apply to UN personnel and is inconsistent with Sudan’s obligations under the UN charter.
The ongoing fighting has disrupted Perthes’s efforts to restore Sudan’s transition to civilian rule, which was derailed by a coup orchestrated by the two generals in 2021. Furthermore, it has complicated international coordination for delivering emergency relief to the estimated 25 million Sudanese civilians in dire need.
As the 24-hour truce commences, hopes for a lasting peace remain tenuous, overshadowed by past failures and deep-seated skepticism among Sudanese civilians.