United Nations aid chief Antonio Guterres calls warring sides in Sudan to implement a three-day ceasefire marking the Eid al-Fitr holiday to allow trapped civilians to escape and access medical treatment, food and other essential supplies.
In separate interviews earlier with Al Jazeera, the leaders of the rival forces refused to negotiate with each other, as fighting continued for a sixth day.
“I appeal for a ceasefire to take place for at least three days marking the Eid al-Fitr celebrations to allow civilians trapped in conflict zones to escape and seek medical treatment, food and other essential supplies,” Guterres told reporters.
“This must be the first step in providing respite from the fighting and paving the way for a permanent ceasefire,” he said.
“I’ve been personally engaged in doing everything possible to make it happen. I’m deeply concerned about the terrible toll on civilians, the appalling humanitarian situation and the horrifying prospects of further escalation ,” he added.
Meanwhile, US urges parties to extend ceasefire through the end of Eid
The US State Department has urged the parties to extend a ceasefire through the end of Eid al-Fitr, and said Washington’s view is the 24-hour ceasefire announced on Wednesday had mostly held despite renewed heavy gunfire that erupted on Thursday.
According to the reports “a sense of calm prevails” in the capital after a warplane was heard bombing several sites.
“Everyone is waiting to see if the two warring parties will declare a new truce because of Eid,” he said.
“A sad feeling dominates the Sudanese people, who receive Eid in this atmosphere. There are no manifestations of welcoming Eid in light of the mass flight of people of Khartoum. Usually, the Sudanese visit the neighbouring villages in a celebration of Eid, but now, they go there in sad circumstances.”
Islamic Relief calls for ‘safe routes to evacuate injured people’
In a news statement, Elsadig Elnour, Islamic Relief’s country director in Sudan has called for “parties to the conflict to agree safe routes to evacuate injured people”.
“Hospitals need urgent support. Most hospitals in Khartoum are no longer functioning and several hospitals have been bombed and shot at. Others have run out of fuel and cannot function. Those still open are crowded with injured people and running out of medicine and supplies. They don’t even have enough bandages,” Elnour said.
“Lots of injured people can’t even reach hospital as the streets are too dangerous as the fighting spreads into more residential areas. We urgently need the parties to the conflict to agree safe routes to evacuate injured people and enable aid agencies to support people.”
Turkey calls on both sides to end fighting and return to negotiations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on both sides to end the conflict and return to talks, the Turkish presidency says.
Erdogan had separate phone calls with al-Burhan and Dagalo, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.
Erdogan told both commanders that Turkey was following events in Sudan with concern and invited them to end the conflict and return to dialogue, the statement said.
Al-Burhan speaks to Al Jazeera
The army chief is giving a phone interview to Al Jazeera from an unspecified location. Here are some of his key points:
- We regret the situation our country has reached.
- The Sudanese people do not deserve to go through Eid while living this suffering.
- The reason for this situation is the personal greed of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
- Our forces are committed to defence. We want to restore hope for life and build a future for the Sudanese people.
- In the states, things are stable, as there is not a single headquarters for the RSF there.
- The RSF seek to destroy the state.
- We do not want to plunge our country into a spiral of conflict that exhausts the citizens.
- However, the RSF spread among citizens and in residential neighbourhoods. We do not want to try to fight them there or cause more harm and hurt the Sudanese people.
- Our military bases and airports are all under the control of the armed forces. In Khartoum, there is little presence of the RSF.
- We want an end to this conflict so that what the revolutionaries wanted for the country will continue. We do not want a new dictatorship that rules by arms.
- The leadership of the Rapid Support Forces covets the rule of Sudan. We say that no one can rule Sudan by force. The Sudanese people want freedom and democracy and know how to take their rights.
- We do not see that there is a party with whom we can sit down to negotiate now. This party vowed to eliminate the Sudanese army and the rule of Sudan, and it is now stealing the homes of the Sudanese.
