Sudan’s two warring generals declare ‘unilateral’ Eid ceasefire amid escalating violence

Leaders of both warring parties in Sudan have independently announced temporary ceasefires to coincide with the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha amid escalating fighting in the Sudanese capital.

As fighting continued raging across the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on the eve of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday celebrated Wednesday, the two warring generals — Sudan’s army chief Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo — declared ceasefires, but experts believe a pause in fighting is unlikely. A string of ceasefire deals has been announced since the United States and Saudi Arabia held talks in the Saudi port of Jeddah last month, but none of these ceasefires have held as agreed. Therefore, hopes are not high among the population for the ceasefire to really hold. Dagalo proclaimed a two-day cease-fire on Monday for Tuesday and Wednesday, which was followed by Burhan who declared a one-day unilateral truce 24 hours later.

Burhan levied grave accusations against the RSF, accusing them of perpetrating crimes against humanity by deliberately targeting civilians in Khartoum and other key regions. The army chief also appealed to the nation’s youth and all able-bodied individuals to safeguard Sudan from the RSF’s “conspiracy” and the presence of “mercenaries” which he said posed an existential threat to the country.

Dagalo, on his part, said he wished that these days will be used for a genuine forgiveness and reconciliation among the people. The RSF commander also expressed concern about alleged human rights violations committed by his forces against civilians, announcing the establishment of field courts to carry out investigations into claims of offenses allegedly committed by the RSF.

A record 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid and protection, according to the United Nations.