Home PodcastInayet Wadee Sudan on the brink of disaster as ceasefire violated within hours of being issued

Sudan on the brink of disaster as ceasefire violated within hours of being issued

by Luqmaan Rawat
An aerial view shows black smoke rising above the Khartoum International Airport in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 20, 2023 Photo AFP/Getty Images/CNN

 

Sudan – A US brokered 72-hour ceasefire between Sudan’s warring generals, which officially came into effect on Tuesday, has already been violated. The ceasefire, which lasted only a few hours, is a testament to how violent and dangerous the situation in Sudan has become.

After 10 days of intense fighting, the ceasefire was supposed to give countries three days to evacuate their citizens from the country. However, with the ceasefire being violated it shows the lack of consideration the two generals have for the lives of people, said Manyuon Mayen Manyuon-tongmachar,  South Sudan-based journalist.

“The ceasefire has already been violated by the two warring parties in Sudan even though they had committed themselves to observe the ceasefire. That shows the two parties are not committed and do not consider the citizens, their partners, the regional bodies that are sending their inputs and concerns for  the Sudanese people. I believe the ceasefire was meant to allow foreign countries to evacuate the Sudanese capital.”

There were reports of fighting taking place around the bases controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). What is not clear is if they were being attacked or if they are the ones who broke the ceasefire, said Mayen.

 

What needs to end the ongoing crisis in Sudan

The war between the army and the RSF has turned residential zones into war zones and has claimed the lives of at least 460 people with over 4000 injured. Vast areas of Sudan have been left without water, power and food which has further crippled a nation that heavily relies on aid. The only way forward is to somehow get both generals to agree to “silence their guns”.

“The challenge is they must not agree without a third party. The international community, IGAD, the regional bodies like the African Union. Once the two warring parties agree on something, then they need to be engaged by the regional partners. I understand the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is convening a virtual meeting on the Sudanese situation on the 16th of this month. However, they are supposed to regularly engage. They need to constantly engage.”

What is needed is a summit with various dignitaries involved where ideas are exchanged before the two generals destroy Sudan, added Mayen. 

Mayen has also called for the United Nations to do more than release press statements. The two generals are involved in a full blown war and other means must be used to communicate to them besides press statements.

“Now they are committed to war. They are committed to fighting themselves but not attending to the press releases. So they have less time to listen but the actions need to be taken. They need to talk to them on phones or other social platforms. It is all about the Sudanese people and it is all about their country.”

At this point in time, many Sudanese people are worried about the impact this will have on their own country. Many are worried if this civil war carries on, the country may be destroyed beyond restoration. Governments and organisations need to take action immediately if the country and its people are to be saved.

To hear more from Manyuon Mayen Manyuon-tongmachar about the situation in Sudan, listen to the podcast here: 

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