Sudan: Despite ceasefire, intense fighting continues, over 500 dead

Sudan’s rival military forces accused each other of new ceasefire violations on Sunday, as their deadly conflict raged on for a third week despite warnings of a civil war.

Since a long-simmering power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on 15 April, hundreds of people have died and thousands have been injured.

The fighting escalated even as both sides agreed to extend the cease-fire agreement for another 72 hours. According to the RSF, the ceasefire has been extended “in response to international, regional, and local calls.”

The army claimed that the “rebels” intended to continue their attacks. The parties have continued to fight despite a series of ceasefires negotiated by mediators, including the United States.

The situation in Khartoum, where the army has been fighting RSF forces entrenched in residential areas, was relatively calm on Sunday morning, according to a Reuters journalist, after heavy clashes were reported near the city center on Saturday evening.

The army claimed to have destroyed RSF convoys heading west towards Khartoum. According to the RSF, the army attacked its positions in Khartoum province with artillery and warplanes.

On Saturday, the army announced that the Central Reserve Police had begun to deploy in southern Khartoum and would be gradually deployed in other areas of the capital.

Meanwhile, Sudan’s police reported that a force had been deployed to protect looted markets and property. The RSF warned it not to get involved in fighting.