Ceasefire extended in Sudan but fighting continues
Rival factions of Sudan’s military have agreed to a renewal of a three-day ceasefire, which was due to expire at midnight local time (22:00 GMT) on Thursday. The extension, for another 72 hours, follows diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, the US, UK, and UN.
The ceasefire has allowed thousands of people to flee to safety, while dozens of countries have attempted to evacuate their citizens. However, heavy fighting continues to be reported in the capital, Khartoum, as well as in the western Darfur region and other provinces. At least 512 people have been killed in the fighting, and almost 4,200 have been injured, with the real number of deaths potentially much higher. Health officials warn of many more deaths due to disease outbreaks and a lack of services, as most hospitals in conflict areas are not functioning.
The International Rescue Committee has called for attention to be paid to the wider crisis in Sudan and not just to the evacuation of foreign nationals. The fighting broke out on 15 April over a power struggle between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).