The warring factions of Sudan have agreed on a new ceasefire lasting seven days.
In the Saudi city Jeddah the Sudanese Army and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have signed a deal as the fighting enters its sixth week.
The US and Saudi Arabia will begin the ceasefire on Monday, at 9.45pm UK time (8.45pm Sudan).
In a joint statement, the US and Saudi Arabia stated: “Both parties conveyed their commitment to not seek military advantage in the 48-hour period following the signing of the agreement and before the start to the ceasefire.”
The agreement also covers humanitarian aid, the restoration of essential services and the withdrawal of troops from vital public facilities.
Prior to this, talks in Jeddah resulted in an agreement on the protection of civilians and the provision of humanitarian aid to those who are in need. However, ceasefires failed to last.
The new agreement will be supported by “a US-Saudi and international-supported ceasefire monitoring mechanism”, made up of three representatives each from the US and Saudi Arabia, and three more from each party.
Hundreds dead and thousands injured
According to the World Health Organization, since the conflict began in late November, 705 people have died and over 5,200 others have been injured.
Many foreign countries including the UK had to evacuate thousands their own citizens.
Banks, embassies and aid storage facilities have been looted, as well as churches and banks.
Air strikes reported
Air strikes were reported on Saturday in Omdurman’s south and Bahri’s north.
Sanaa Hassan (33), a Omdurman resident, told AFP: “We were subjected to heavy artillery firing early this morning.
The whole house shook.
It was terrifying. Everyone was under their beds.
She added, “What is happening right now is a nightmare.”
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