Sudan's rival factions consent to three-day ceasefire

As numerous nations race to evacuate civilians from the war-torn African nation, the warring parties in Sudan have agreed to a three-day ceasefire that will begin at midnight on Tuesday.

“Following intense negotiation over the past 48 hours, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have agreed to implement a nationwide ceasefire starting at midnight on April 24, to last for 72 hours,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday in a written statement.

The violent combat, now in its second week, has left at least 427 people dead and more than 3,700 wounded, according to UN agencies, and previous attempts at a ceasefire had failed.

Hours before Blinken’s announcement, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, had warned that the violence “risks a catastrophic conflagration within Sudan that could engulf the whole region and beyond”

The RSF said it had consented to the cease-fire "in order to open humanitarian corridors, facilitate the movement of citizens and residents" in a statement on Monday.

“Also to enable them to fulfil their needs, reach hospitals and safe areas, and evacuate diplomatic missions.”

Countries withdrew their diplomats and citizens over the weekend because combat was raging in heavily populated areas of the capital.

Foreign civilians have been able to leave Sudan for safety during brief lulls in the fighting.

If the present three-day ceasefire holds, there may be an opportunity to provide those in need with vital supplies like food and medicine.

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