The East African Bloc (EAC) on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the military and paramilitary forces, reported The Anadolu Agency.
Fighting between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in the capital Khartoum on Saturday.
According to the United Nations figures, at least 185 people have been reported killed and 1,800 injured in the clashes so far. Notably, both sides agreed Tuesday to a temporary, 24-hour cease-fire.
“The EAC is deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict in our neighboring state,” the bloc said in a statement.
It called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between the warring parties to avoid further loss of life, injuries and damage to property.
The bloc has appealed to the warring Sudanese factions to resolve the conflict immediately through resolution mechanisms at the regional, continental, and international levels. It said that it stands with the people of Sudan who want peace and urged the rival groups to exhaust all diplomatic options in an effort to find a lasting solution.
“The conflict will not only cause insecurity and instability in the country but will have a ripple effect in the region and the continent at large,” the EAC said.
The bloc said that the most vulnerable segments of the Sudanese population- women and children- are bearing the brunt of the conflict.
The African Union (AU) as well as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
In related news, Japan on Wednesday said it is preparing to rescue its nationals from conflict-torn Sudan.
Addressing a news conference, Hirokazu Matsuno, government spokesman, said personnel from Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) will be sent to Sudan to rescue Japanese nationals.
There are around 60 Japanese nationals living in conflict-hit African nation which have seen military clashes since last weekend.
