UN special envoy welcomes civil protection agreement in Sudan

The parties to the civil war in Sudan want to refrain from attacks that could harm civilians. The United Nations now hopes that the pact is a first step towards a ceasefire. But the fighting appears to be continuing.

The UN special envoy for Sudan has welcomed an agreement between the country’s warring generals. Accordingly, civilians fleeing the conflict should be given safe conduct and humanitarian operations should be protected. The agreement is an important first step on the way to a ceasefire, said Volker Perthes.

“The most important element is that both sides commit to continuing the talks,” he said during an online United Nations press conference at his office in Port Sudan. UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the agreement. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said it could enable relief operations for millions of people in need in Sudan. However, an end to the fighting is needed.

Pact is intended to alleviate humanitarian distress

The Sudanese military, led by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the RSF militia, commanded by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, signed a pact late Thursday pledging to alleviate humanitarian distress in the country.

Both sides agreed to refrain from attacks that could harm civilians. The AP news agency had a copy of the agreement. It does not provide details on how the pledges will be honored by the troops on the ground.

According to the UN, 200,000 people fled

Despite the agreement, fighting continued in the capital Khartoum on Friday. The power struggle between the generals escalated on April 15. According to the UN health organization, more than 600 people, including civilians, have been killed.

According to the UN refugee agency, around 200,000 people fled the country. The US State Department said that a ten-day ceasefire should now be agreed during negotiations between the parties to the conflict in Saudi Arabia.