WASHINGTON, May 21 — A temporary cease-fire between warring forces in Sudan has been reached, according to the United States and Saudi Arabia — which brokered the deal.
The US State Department said in a statement that the seven-day cease-fire was signed by representatives from the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces — a paramilitary faction created to defeat a rebellion in Darfur more than two decades ago that is loyal to a former warlord.
The cease-fire is scheduled to go into effect at 9.45pm local time on Monday (May 22), reported UPI.
Unlike previously announced cease-fires that were not observed, the warring parties agreed to monitoring by the United States and Saudi Arabia with international support. Three members each from the US and Saudi Arabia, as well as the two warring parties, will be a part of the monitoring committee.
The monitoring committee’s powers as outlined by the agreement include publicly identifying violators and calling for accountability as well as mediating any disputes that arise.
Given the brutality of the conflict, our immediate focus has been on stopping the fighting to relieve the suffering of the Sudanese people, the US State Department statement reads.
The Jeddah talks have focused on a short-term ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services. They are not a political process and should not be perceived as one.
The latest data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, published nearly three weeks ago, shows that more than 750 people died in the first weeks of the fighting.
Last month, the US military successfully evacuated the American Embassy in Khartoum of all US government personnel.
President Joe Biden said at the time that the evacuation was a success because of critical support from Saudi Arabia, as well as the nations of Djibouti and Ethiopia.
— Bernama
