As the conflict in Sudan continues, many countries are taking measures to evacuate civilians from the war-torn country. This comes as the warring parties in Sudan have finally agreed to a three-day ceasefire, which is set to begin at midnight on Tuesday.
The ceasefire was announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who noted that the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces had agreed to implement a nationwide ceasefire starting on April 24th.
While previous attempts at ceasefire had failed, this new agreement brings hope for a temporary cessation of violence. The fighting has been going on for over a week now and has resulted in the deaths of at least 427 people, with over 3,700 wounded, according to UN agencies.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the violence “risks a catastrophic conflagration within Sudan that could engulf the whole region and beyond.”
Despite the challenges, there have been brief lulls in the conflict that have allowed foreign civilians to flee Sudan to safety. With the new ceasefire in place, there may be an opportunity to deliver much-needed supplies, such as food and medical resources, to those affected by the violence. While it remains to be seen if the ceasefire will hold, it is a step toward peace and stability in the region.