While representatives from the warring parties in Sudan were in Saudi Arabia for talks that international mediators hope would put an end to a three-week-old crisis that has killed hundreds and caused an exodus, battles raged in Khartoum on Sunday.
Written by Chris Muhizi Minembwe Capital news 12:00am Nairobi Kenya Time.
The US-Saudi initiative is the first serious effort to put an end to fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has turned parts of the capital of Sudan into war zones, derailed a plan to impose civilian rule after years of unrest and uprisings, and sparked a humanitarian crisis.
The parties to the conflict have stated that rather than negotiating a cease-fire, the negotiations will deal with humanitarian matters.
According to Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya, Saudi Arabia would provide Sudan $100 million in humanitarian help.
Since April 15, fighting has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, injuries of tens of thousands more, the disruption of humanitarian deliveries, and the emigration of 100,000 refugees.
Numerous thousands of people are trying to flee Port Sudan by taking boats to Saudi Arabia, paying for pricey commercial flights through the sole airport in the nation, or taking evacuation planes.
The evacuation flight to Abu Dhabi was fortunate for us, but what is occurring in Khartoum, where I spent my entire life, is sad, said 75-year-old Abdulkader. The feeling of leaving your life and your memories is unimaginable.
Both parties have made it plain that they would only consider a humanitarian ceasefire and not negotiate an end to the conflict, even if mediators are looking for a way to peace.
RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, confirmed his group’s presence and expressed his optimism that the negotiations would be successful in guaranteeing safe passage for civilians.