Continued Clashes in Sudan Ahead of New Ceasefire Negotiations in Jeddah

Residents of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, report intense fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the streets. Reuters reports that observations indicate that the warring parties in Sudan have ignored the agreement made to protect civilian citizens ahead of the ceasefire negotiations set to resume on Sunday, May 14, in Saudi Arabia. Since the new agreement between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) regarding a set of general rules, clashes have intensified in Khartoum and surrounding areas as well as in the city of Geneina in Darfur. Previously, António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, had called on the international community to pressure both sides to respect the agreement reached for a temporary ceasefire, citing ongoing violations of previous ceasefires. Hani Ahmed, 28, tells Reuters, "Conditions today are much worse than two days ago, and you could clearly hear the sounds of tanks, with Rapid Support Forces patrolling the streets more than usual." These clashes, which began a month ago, have claimed the lives of hundreds and displaced over 200,000 people to neighboring countries, while another 700,000 have been displaced within the country. Both sides show no signs of willingness for peace, but the RSF has pledged to uphold the new agreement, although the army has not commented on it yet. The army is capable of using air power, but the RSF has stationed itself in residential areas throughout the capital. Hani Ahmed states, "We see the army's presence in the sky, but in terms of face-to-face contact, only the Rapid Support Forces are present in the field. For civilians, this conflict has been accompanied by bombings, shootings, home invasions, and looting, as well as shortages of electricity, water, and food, and restrictions on receiving medical services for the injured. Dua Tarek, a 30-year-old resident of Khartoum, expressed hope that the negotiations in Jeddah would lead to a ceasefire, but she is not very optimistic and does not trust either side. Although both sides have agreed on general rules for the protection of civilians and allowing humanitarian access, the clashes have not decreased. Hashim Mohammed, a 35-year-old citizen, says he was able to find bread in a local shop after a week. He states that a longer walk means greater danger. The resumed negotiations in Jeddah are set to begin with discussions on how to implement the existing agreement and then reach a sustainable ceasefire, paving the way for the establishment of a civilian government. A senior Saudi diplomat told Reuters that Saudi Arabia has invited Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army commander, to the Arab League summit in Jeddah. Two other diplomats in the Gulf say he is unlikely to leave Sudan for security reasons. John Kirby, the National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator at the White House, described the situation in Sudan as "fragile." The UN Migration Agency: The number of displaced persons in Sudan has reached 700,000. Continued fighting in Sudan; mediators seek to establish a ceasefire. The warring factions in Sudan have begun peace negotiations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The UN Refugee Agency: Keep Sudan's borders open.