Briefly: Sudan’s warring parties started a weeklong ceasefire yesterday (Monday) to allow the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid. If the truce holds, it’ll be the first extended ceasefire in more than six weeks of fighting.
This latest development has been a team effort. The US and Saudi Arabia have worked together to mediate and monitor the deal between the Sudanese military and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Intrigue’s take: The international community is hoping this truce succeeds where the last few attempts have failed. The fighting has so far:
- displaced over a million Sudanese people
- destroyed civilian sites like hospitals, UN aid warehouses and churches
- and spread beyond the capital to the war-torn region of Darfur.
Also worth noting:
- Journalists and media workers say they’re being intimidated for reporting on the hostilities in Sudan.
- US President Joe Biden signed an executive order earlier this month, authorising future sanctions on the warring parties in Sudan. The US hasn’t yet listed anyone for sanctioning under Biden’s order.
