Arab League calls for immediate ceasefire in Sudan as clashes rage on

The Arab League has expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Sudan, calling for an immediate ceasefire to end the clashes between the army and the powerful paramilitary force in the crisis-hit African country.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit made the appeal in a statement released on Sunday, following an emergency meeting called by Egypt and Saudi Arabia to discuss the recent developments in Sudan.

Aboul-Gheit condemned the escalating violence in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and other areas, reiterating the responsibility of the warring parties to preserve the security and safety of Sudanese citizens in the conflict zones and throughout the country.

He also emphasized the need for a return to peaceful negotiations and to “establish a new phase that fulfills the ambitions of the brotherly Sudanese people and contributes to reinforce political and economic security and stability in this important country.”

Aboul-Gheit further noted that the Arab League is ready to intervene with the warring parties to end the fight, adding that the organization will continue to follow up on the situation in Sudan.

Fierce clashes erupted between the army and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital, Khartoum and elsewhere across the country on Saturday, in an apparent struggle for control.

Sudan paramilitary chief vows to fight on until all army bases captured

Sudan

The RSF later said its fighters had wrested control of several key sites, including the presidential palace, the residence of army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Khartoum International Airport.

The Sudanese army rejected all RSF's claims, saying it is fighting back at sites the paramilitaries said they had taken.

The ongoing violence in Sudan has caused great concern, with many countries in the world urging the opposing sides to show restraint and engage in dialogue to end the hostilities.

Egypt and South Sudan offered to mediate between the Sudanese army and the RSF, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement, after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir held a phone call on Sunday

The two influential neighbors to Sudan called on both sides in the power struggle to “choose the voice of reason [and] peaceful dialogue,” the statement said.

WFP halts Sudan operations

Meanwhile, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it has temporarily halted all operations in Sudan after three of its employees were killed in clashes between the army and the RSF a day earlier.

WFP executive director Cindy McCain made the announcement in a statement on Sunday, saying "While we review the evolving security situation, we are forced to temporarily halt all operations in Sudan."

Amid ongoing violence, Sudan armed forces reject dialogue with paramilitary RSF

Sudan’s armed forces dismiss dialogue with paramilitary, amid ongoing violence in the country.

"WFP is committed to assisting the Sudanese people facing dire food insecurity, but we cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed," she added.

The UN condemned the killing of the WFP employees earlier in the day, saying they died while carrying out their duties.

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