RSF violates ceasefire, difficult to set date for end of military operations: Sudan army spox

Asmaa Al-Husseini , Tuesday 25 Apr 2023

In an interview with Ahram Online on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Sudanese Armed Forces, Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of violating a new three-day ceasefire brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia less than half an hour after it came into effect on Monday.

Sudan
A man walks by a house hit in recent fighting in Khartoum, Sudan, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. AP

 

Abdullah said the Sudanese Armed Forces agreed to the ceasefire to help ease the humanitarian crisis after 10 days of war, stressing that the ceasefire hinges on the rebel militia’s adherence to the conditions set out in the agreement.

The spokesman added that the ceasefire’s conditions included the cessation of all military activities, ceasing the targeting of citizens and the looting of their property, preventing troops from being stationed inside residential neighbourhoods and ending the use of citizens as human shields.

However, Abdullah claims the RSF violated these terms as they continued their military activity inside and outside residential neighbourhoods.

"We monitored heavy deployments of military convoys coming from areas outside the capital to bring them reinforcements; they also tried to take advantage of the ceasefire using transport vehicles to supply their forces with ammunition. 

"They also attacked the headquarters of several diplomatic missions in Khartoum, which submitted numerous reports confirming their assault by the rebels. The rebels have deployed their forces near the envoys’ headquarters," he added.

The spokesperson explained to Ahram Online that the Sudanese army is ready to deal with any military repercussions that could arise from these violations, adding that the army is in complete control of the situation, adopting a well-thought-out defensive strategy that aims to contain the enemy’s attacks and limit their fighting capabilities by cutting off supply routes.

Commenting on recent international and regional efforts for a permanent ceasefire and a cessation of military activities, the spokesperson said, "It is difficult to set a date for the end of operations; assessing it is complex because it takes place in a capital filled with people and vital facilities, whom we are keen on keeping safe."

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