Call For Extension Of Ceasefire: Mediators Urge Sudan's Warring Parties

Saudi Arabia and the United States, who are mediating the Sudanese crisis, urged the two warring sides on Sunday to come to an agreement to prolong a cease-fire which is due to expire in one day.

The present seven-day truce was reached following weeks of covert communication between the RSF and the Sudanese Army in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

The main goal of the eighth cease-fire since the conflict's start on Apr. 15 is to ensure the distribution and entry of humanitarian aid into the nation, as well as the parties' compliance with the protection of citizens and public facilities, particularly hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to continue discussions to reach an agreement on extending the ceasefire that is set to expire at 9:45 pm Khartoum time on May 29," said a statement released by the Saudi foreign ministry.

"In the absence of an agreement to extend the current ceasefire, it remains incumbent on the parties to adhere to their obligations under the short-term ceasefire and the preceding Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan," the statement said, La Prensa Latina reported.

It added that "the extension will facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people."

Although they assisted with evacuation efforts and the fleeing of Sudanese to safer places amid multiple challenges and dangers, none of the truces agreed upon in Sudan have been honored by the warring parties.

Nearly a month and a half after the crisis began, numerous services, including water, power, and telecommunications, as well as two-thirds of the nation's hospitals, have been disrupted by the fighting.

Additionally, the battle resulted in the internal or external relocation of more than 1 million people, primarily women and children, and the killing of 700 civilians.