Khartoum [Sudan], May 29: The United States Embassy in Sudan's capital of Khartoum on Sunday lambasted both the country's warring factions for violating a ceasefire which is set to expire tomorrow and urged them for an extension.
"Five days after the entry into force of a short-term ceasefire, violations occurred by both sides that significantly impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid," the joint statement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the US said.
The ceasefire, facilitated by the US and Saudi Arabia last Monday, was set to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to the country where fighting between the army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in mid-April. However, reports of gunfire, airstrikes, bombings and lootings by both sides emerged throughout the week.
"Both parties tell the facilitators that their goal is de-escalation to facilitate humanitarian assistance and basic reforms, yet both parties are taking a position for further escalation," the statement said.
On Friday, head of the armed forces Abdel-Fattah Burhan, called on "non-commissioned officers and retired soldiers" to take up arms and report for duty on Monday.
He also reportedly wrote to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to request the removal of UN mediator Volker Perthes, who is heading up the Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).
On Sunday morning, the RSF released a statement saying it would monitor "the current armistice until its end" - on 29 May - "to test the seriousness and commitment of the other party to proceed with the renewal of the agreement or not."
Source: Qatar Tribune