Sudan’s rival factions agree to three-day ceasefire

The warring parties in Sudan have agreed to a three-day ceasefire starting midnight on Tuesday, as many countries are racing to evacuate civilians from the battle-scarred African country.

On Monday, U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken says following intense negotiation over the past 48 hours, the Sudanese armed forces and the rapid support forces have agreed to implement a nationwide ceasefire starting at midnight on April the 24th, to last for 72 hours.

Previous attempted ceasefires had failed as the brutal fighting, entering a second week, has killed at least 427 people and wounded more than 3,700. 

Hours before Blinken’s announcement, UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, had warned that the violence risks a catastrophic conflagration within Sudan that could engulf the whole region and beyond

However, he called on UN Security Council Members to exert maximum leverage.

In a statement on Monday, the RSF said it had agreed to the truce in order to open humanitarian corridors, facilitate the movement of citizens and residents.