The United Nations (UN) envoy to Sudan on Tuesday said a US-brokered ceasefire in Khartoum appears to be partially holding, but, there are no signs that the warring factions are willing to seriously negotiate an end to the ongoing fighting, reported Aljazeera.
During a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday, Envoy Volker Perthes said that both the warring factions in the conflict believe that they can win the fighting.
“There is yet no unequivocal sign that either is ready to seriously negotiate, suggesting that both think that securing a military victory over the other is possible,” Perthes said. “This is a miscalculation.”
Fighting between the Sudanese military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on April 15. The two sides agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire starting on Tuesday after negotiations mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Commenting on the temporary and shaky truce, Perthes said that it was holding in some parts so far, but the fighting had continued in key areas. He said there have been reports of fighting and movement of troops in some areas.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the violence in Sudan was heartbreaking. He said the fight between the military puts the future of the country at risk and could cause suffering for years and set back development achieved over decades.
Guterres said it is incumbent on Sudanese leaders to put the interests of their people front and centre.
Notably, the United Nations has successfully relocated hundreds of its staff and their family members to Port Sudan from Khartoum.
The UN chief said the body plans to establish a hub in Port Sudan to continue to work with its partners in support of peace and to alleviate human suffering.
At least 450 people have been killed, and over 3,700 have been injured in the fighting in Sudan so far.
