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Saudi Arabia-US Say Situation in Sudan Improves, Ceasefire Begins to Be Complied with. PHOTO/Reuters
KHARTOUM – The two initiators of the armistice in Sudan Saudi Arabia and the United States (US) both recorded positive findings after the violation ceasefire seriously last Wednesday (24/5/2023). According to a joint Saudi-US statement, the situation in Sudan has improved.
“In their capacity as facilitators, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States noted increased respect for the Short Term Armistice Agreement and Humanitarian Arrangements in #Sudan on May 25,” a joint Saudi-US statement read, as quoted by Arab News, Friday (26/26/2018) 5/2023).
The two sides agreed to a ceasefire which was signed on May 20, 2023, after talks in Jeddah. But the following days saw a series of violent clashes – with gunfire resounding in the Sudanese capital on Tuesday (23/5/2023).
However, on Wednesday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said it and the US facilitators were concerned that neither side would comply with its commitment “not to seek military advantage for a period of 48 hours after the agreement was signed.”
Friday’s statement further explained: “Despite the use of military aircraft and isolated fire in Khartoum, the situation has improved since May 24, when the ceasefire monitoring mechanism detected significant violations of the Agreement.”
“The violations included the observed use of artillery and military aircraft and drones,” the statement added. It also explained that there were credible reports of airstrikes, ongoing fighting in the heart of the Khartoum Industrial Area.
The statement explained that after the serious violations on May 24, US and Saudi representatives told the warring sides that civilian lives were being threatened by the violations which also hindered humanitarian assistance.
The US and Saudi Arabia went on to say that they had warned both sides against further violations and to respect the ceasefire “which they had.”
The statement goes on to explain that on May 25, humanitarian actors dispatched some of the urgently needed medical supplies to several locations in Sudan. Maintenance crews can also carry out essential repair work to restore telecommunications services in Khartoum and other areas of Sudan.
“The facilitators urged parties to continue the positive gains of 25 May during the remainder of the short-term ceasefire and uphold their commitments under the 11 May Declaration of Commitment to Protect Sudanese Civilians,” the statement added.
(esn)
