Clashes renewed Wednesday between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Omdurman and southern Khartoum.
The streets of Omdurman witnessed violent clashes at the army’s main Corps of Engineers base. Large explosions were heard and warplanes flew west of Omdurman.
Yasser Arman, the spokesperson for the Forces for Freedom and Change in Sudan, said Wednesday that the ongoing war in the country is witnessing what he considered a “qualitative change” using heavy weapons and long-range artillery in populated areas, warning of the repercussions on civilians.
“There is also an escalation in clashes between the army and the RSF,” Arman said. “This would increase the number of civilian casualties and destroy the infrastructure and homes of citizens.”
He expressed his fears that those whom he described as “remnants of the former regime” would propose the idea of “splitting Sudan” as a solution to the crisis in the country, stressing that the war threatens the unity of the country and the cohesion of society, and threatens the collapse of the state.
Meanwhile, the General Secretariat of the Arab League received on Tuesday an initiative by senior Sudanese civil figures entitled “National Initiative to Resolve the Sudanese Crisis.”
During a meeting with representatives of the Secretariat General, these figures praised the decision of the recent Arab Summit in Jeddah, which emphasized respect for the sovereignty of Sudan and the work to preserve its national institutions. They also praised the great efforts made by the Arab countries at the humanitarian level to face the challenges of the current stage.
“The Arab League is open to all initiatives for a Sudanese solution, without adopting any particular initiative, said Jamel Rushdy, the Secretary General’s spokesperson.”
The League of Arab States continues to coordinate efforts with the UN and the African Union (AU) to contribute to resolving the Sudanese crisis and restoring peace and stability in the country.
For its part, The group of friends of Sudan expressed its deep concern over the continuing violence and the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Sudan, urging the warring parties to agree on an “effective and sustainable ceasefire to ensure humanitarian access”.
In a statement, the group, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United States and the European Union, called on the warring parties to return to the Jeddah talks to” resolve issues related to violations and reach a ceasefire”.
In a different context, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that the World Food Program (WFP) is facing major challenges in reaching the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and that about 20,000 people trapped in Omdurman received assistance from the WFP between 27 and 30 May,
He pointed out that the WFP aims to ramp up aid in Khartoum to support 500,000 people, once the security situation allows it.”
Dujarric stressed that this is yet another reminder of the need for an immediate cessation of operations there.”
He said that more than 13,000 people had arrived in the Um Dafoq region, on the border with the Central African Republic, fleeing the conflict.
The new arrivals – mostly women and children – came from Nyala town and said they faced many difficulties on the way to Um Dafoq, such as threats from armed men, extortion, physical assault, and sexual violence, Dujarric said.
UNHCR said it and WFP had distributed essential relief items, water and food to the new arrivals.
