Global Courant 2023-05-21 06:24:33
WASHINGTON — Sudan’s warring factions have agreed on a new short-term ceasefire, US and Saudi mediators announced Saturday, after several previous attempts to negotiate a ceasefire failed.
At a meeting in the Saudi port city of Jeddah, the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces signed a seven-day ceasefire to take effect at 9:45 p.m. local time on Monday in Sudan, the US and Saudi Arabia. joint statement. The ceasefire can be extended if both sides agree.
“Both sides conveyed to the Saudi and US facilitators their commitment not to seek a military advantage during the 48-hour notice period following the signing of the agreement and prior to the commencement of the ceasefire,” the statement said.
Talks in Jeddah had previously led to an agreement between the two sides on protecting civilians and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict. But previous ceasefire agreements have foundered amid allegations of violations by both.
“It is common knowledge that the parties have previously announced ceasefires that have not been observed,” the US-Saudi statement said.
“Unlike previous ceasefires, the agreement reached in Jeddah was signed by the parties and will be backed by a US-Saudi and internationally supported ceasefire monitoring mechanism.”
The oversight and coordination committee will consist of three representatives each from the US and Saudi Arabia and three representatives from each party.
