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Sudan clashes: New ceasefire announced as humanitarian crisis worsens
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Smoke rises as clashes continue between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, Sudan, May 4, 2023. /CFP
Smoke rises as clashes continue between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, Sudan, May 4, 2023. /CFP

Smoke rises as clashes continue between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, Sudan, May 4, 2023. /CFP

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan announced on Friday morning an additional 72-hour truce to open humanitarian corridors and facilitate the movement of citizens. This is in response to an appeal by UN agencies to ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

Despite a seven-day truce agreed by the two parties, violent clashes erupted on Thursday between the RSF and the Sudanese army in the capital Khartoum and other areas of the country. The clashes have pushed the country to the edge of a humanitarian crisis.

In response to the situation, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths arrived in Sudan's eastern city of Port Sudan on Wednesday and urged the warring parties to ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to the needy.

UN agencies reported that health workers, their sites, and children were among the victims of the fighting in Sudan. The World Health Organization (WHO) verified 28 attacks on healthcare facilities and workers in Sudan, leading to eight deaths and 18 injuries among healthcare personnel. The organization is trying to verify additional casualties.

UNICEF also updated the number of victims of the violence. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said, "While we are unable to confirm estimates due to the intensity of the violence, UNICEF has received reports that 190 children have been killed and another 1,700 injured in Sudan since the conflict erupted more than two weeks ago. For the sake of Sudan's children, the violence must stop."

The International Organization for Migration commended neighboring countries for keeping their borders open to those fleeing Sudan and called for increased efforts to improve conditions at border points. More than 11,000 people had crossed into Ethiopia from Sudan as of Wednesday, while the UN Refugee Agency estimated that 30,000 people had crossed the border from Sudan to Chad.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF erupted on April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict. So far, the conflict has left more than 550 people dead and 4,926 others wounded in Sudan.

Read more:

Explainer: Why do the ceasefire agreements in Sudan continue to fail?

Sudan's Army-RSF clashes explained

(With input from agencies)

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