The delegations of the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed a new seven-day humanitarian truce agreement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The agreement stipulates a ceasefire that will take effect 48 hours after the signing(Monday), and also stipulates the formation of a monitoring committee consisting of Saudi Arabia and the United States, and including representatives of both the army and the RSF.
The agreement also includes military forces leaving hospitals and allowing for the repair of essential service facilities. It also stipulates operating hospitals and distributing relief aid to those in need.
The agreement also stipulates that the bodies of those killed in the clashes be allowed to be collected and buried.
Egypt welcomed on Sunday the signing of a week-long truce by the Sudanese parties to the Jeddah peace talks.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said that the relief work and healing of the wounds of human beings and souls needs a safe environment…even for a week.
Abu Zeid expressed his hope that the truce would be extended after its expiration, so as to reach a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire agreement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with Sudanese Sovereign Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan about ongoing talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at achieving an effective short-term ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and restore essential services.
The US State Department statement noted that Blinken urged proof of flexibility in this gradual process.
The US Secretary of State reiterated his condemnation of the acts of violence that led to the killing and injury of many Sudanese civilians, stressing that the agreement in Jeddah will allow the provision of humanitarian assistance and basic services that are desperately needed by the Sudanese people.
He stressed that the US is unwavering in its support for the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people, the existence of a civilian government, and a stable and democratic Sudan.
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Sudan, Ali Jaafar, revealed that new negotiations are expected to discuss mechanisms to end the conflict in Sudan, after representatives of the Sudanese army and the RSF agreed to a one-week ceasefire starting on Monday.
Jaafar said on Sunday that the truce agreement is an achievement that will be followed by other achievements until reaching an end to the conflict. He explained that the talks will be expanded in the upcoming rounds between the two sides of the conflict with a political agenda leading to ending the conflict.
The Saudi ambassador in Khartoum added that the upcoming talks are aimed at restoring security and stability in Sudan, indicating that the upcoming negotiations will be a test of the seriousness of the Sudanese.
He expressed optimism that the two sides will implement a seven-day truce, noting that the truce will be automatically renewed until a permanent ceasefire is reached.
For its part, the Sudanese army confirmed that the agreement with the RSF is limited to technical and military aspects and does not include political issues.
It said in a statement, Sunday, that the Sudanese Armed Forces signed in Jeddah on Saturday evening a short-term ceasefire and humanitarian arrangements. The short-term ceasefire will last for seven days and will come into effect on Monday at 9:45 pm. The agreement is limited to the military and technical aspects of temporary ceasefire arrangements and procedures for the free movement of civilians, noting that the aim is to “protect them from violence and violations” by the Rapid Support Forces.
The statement also said the truce aims to evacuate hospitals and maintain service facilities and related issues without discussing any political conditions.
