Saudi Arabia and the United States say representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have agreed to a 24-hour countrywide ceasefire beginning Saturday. The countrywide ceasefire will take effect from 6:00 a.m. Khartoum time. The parties agreed to refrain from prohibited movements, attacks, use of aircraft or drones, aerial bombardment, artillery strikes, reinforcement of positions and resupply of forces during the ceasefire. They will also will refrain using the ceasefire for military advantage. The two sides agreed to allow the unimpeded movement and delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout the country. The facilitators shared the frustration of the Sudanese people about the uneven implementation of previous ceasefires. They proposed the latest ceasefire in an effort to break the cycle of violence. If observed, the 24-hour ceasefire will provide an important opportunity to delivaer badly needed humanitarian assistance and for the parties to undertake confidence-building measures, which could permit the resumption of the Jeddah peace talks. Should the parties fail to observe the 24-hour ceasefire, facilitators will be compelled to consider adjourning the Jeddah talks, they said. — SPA
