It’s good news that the warring parties, the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces, have finally agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire from Saturday (“Sudan sides agree 24-hour ceasefire from Saturday, Saudi Arabia and US say,” June 10, Gulf Today website).

Saudi Arabia and the United States are the only hope for the Sudanese people to end the month-long civil war in the country. The vital role of Saudi Arabia and the United States, who are trying their level best to bring about peace in Sudan, is highly laudable. According to the report, Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support forces (RSF) agreed “they will refrain from prohibited movements, attacks, use of aircraft or drones, aerial bombardment, artillery strikes, reinforcement of positions and resupply of forces, and will refrain from seeking military advantage during the ceasefire,” the statement read.

If the parties fail to observe the ceasefire, “facilitators will be compelled to consider adjourning the Jeddah talks”, the US and Saudi joint statement added, referring to negotiations to try to end almost two months of clashes in Sudan.

The civil war in Sudan has made the lives of innocent people miserable. Hundreds have died, properties are destroyed, and no one is safe in Sudan. People try their level best to leave the country as soon as possible and take shelter in neighbouring countries to save their lives.

I hope the sense of peace will prevail and Sudanese people live their lives in peace.

Ghulam Rasool,
By email