Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stated on Sunday that a humanitarian cease-fire had been extended for 72 hours.
A three-day cease-fire agreement between the RSF and the Sudanese army is set to expire at midnight Sunday.
“In response to international, regional, and local calls, we announce the extension of the humanitarian truce for 72 hours, beginning at midnight Sunday, in order to open humanitarian corridors, facilitate movement of citizens and residents, and enable them to fulfill their needs and reach safe areas,” the RSF said in a statement.
The Sudanese army made no response on the RSF release.
According to Sudan’s Health Ministry, at least 528 people have been killed and over 4,500 have been injured in fighting between two opposing generals, army leader Abdel Fattah Burhan and RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, since April 15.
In recent months, a schism had developed between the army and the paramilitary force over the absorption of the RSF into the armed forces, which was a crucial requirement of Sudan’s transition deal with political organizations.
Sudan has been without a functioning government since October 20, 2021, when the military deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government and established a state of emergency, a move that political forces condemned as a “coup.”
Sudan’s transitional period, which began in August 2019 following President Omar al-Bashir’s removal, was set to culminate with elections in early 2024.