The warring Sudanese military factions agreed to a new and longer seven-day ceasefire starting Thursday, South Sudan's neighbors and mediators said, despite an increase in airstrikes and shootings in the capital Khartoum region, weakening their latest ceasefire.
The previous ceasefire promise ranged from 24 to 72 hours. However, there was constant ceasefire violations in the conflict that erupted in mid-April between the army and paramilitary forces.
South Sudan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that mediation championed by President Salva Kiir had led both sides to agree to a week-long ceasefire from Thursday to May 11, as well as appoint envoys for peace talks.
Meanwhile, the previous ceasefire will end on Wednesday. However, it is unclear how military commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and paramilitary leader Rapid Support Force (RSF) General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo will continue the ceasefire.
On Tuesday, witnesses reported more airstrikes in Omdurman City and in Bahri, both across the banks of the Nile from Khartoum.
Al Jazeera television said Sudanese army fighters targeted the position of RSF, while anti-aircraft fire was heard from Khartoum.
Army jets also bombed RSF units excavated in residential districts in the capital's territory. Conflict has also spread to the western Darfur region of Sudan where RSF emerged from tribal militias fighting alongside government forces to crush rebels in a brutal civil war since 20 years ago.
Separately, the Indian Embassy in Khartoum was invaded and looted, the Sudanese army said in a statement, citing reports from ambassadors.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday morning, buildings in Khartoum that housed its cultural mission were also damaged and looted by armed groups. No casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday morning, buildings in Khartoum that housed its cultural mission were also damaged and looted by armed groups. No casualties were reported.
It is known that the army commanders and RSFs, who have shared power as part of an internationally-backed transition to free elections and civilian rule, have shown no signs of resigning, although no one seems capable of securing a quick victory.
A prolonged conflict could draw outside power. The fighting, which is now entering its third week, has hit Khartoum, one of Africa's largest cities, has killed hundreds. Sudan's Ministry of Health reported on Tuesday that 550 people had died and 4,926 were injured.
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