Sudan’s Warring Factions Reach Consensus: A 72-Hour Ceasefire

Sudan’s warring factions have agreed to a new 72-hour ceasefire starting at 6 a.m. local time on Sunday. This is not the first time that a 72-hour ceasefire has been agreed upon. In April 2023, Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire following what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called “intense negotiation”. The fighting in Sudan has triggered a humanitarian crisis in the impoverished country, where millions of people have been left without access to basic services. At least 420 people have been killed since the fighting broke out on April 15, four years after long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir was toppled.

The conflict in Sudan is a result of several factors, including political instability, economic mismanagement, and ethnic and religious tensions. The primary cause of tension was the civilian demand for oversight of the military and the integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the regular Sudanese military. The conflict began with attacks by the RSF on government sites, and the fighting is concentrated around the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region. The conflict has left hopes for a peaceful transition to civilian rule in tatters, and forces loyal to two rival generals are vying for control. The fighting has triggered a humanitarian crisis in the impoverished country, where millions of people have been left without access to basic services. Sudan’s past instability is at the root of ongoing conflicts and insecurity. The conflict could have significant repercussions for neighboring nations such as Ethiopia, Chad, and South Sudan.