An official ceasefire has not quelled hostilities, and civilians remain in the crossfire.
Yesterday, Sudan’s government called on former soldiers as well as reservists to make their presence known to local military bases, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to clash with the army. A spokesperson for the national military said that enlistment is voluntary, though national law dictates all former army personnel are to be considered reservists.
The call out by the country’s national guard comes as adherence to an official ceasefire is not being met, with clashes and skirmishes continuing in the country. Sporadic fighting has made it difficult for NGOs and the United Nations to reach many areas of Sudan, with the uncertainty of safety being a main factor.
The UN struggles to deliver aid in Sudan
On Thursday, United Nations spokesman Stéphane Dujarric announced at their regular daily briefing that they’re only able to provide aid to areas where the ceasefire holds.
Mr Dujarric released a statement saying: “WFP is also planning distributions in Central Darfur and Northern State. Yesterday, trucks loaded with food aid arrived in Wadi Halfa, and today in Port Sudan, WFP started providing food to some 4,000 new arrivals.”
The UN’s head of communications, Guiomar Pau Sole said: “As a result of continued violence such as this, an estimated 24.7 million people, or half of the population of Sudan, require urgent humanitarian assistance and protection, a sharp 57 per cent increase from the number in need at the beginning of 2023.”
Mr Pau Sole also spoke on the violence preventing necessary aid from getting through, with “heavy artillery and indiscriminate shooting in residential areas” in West Darfur a particular concern. He also says 86 sites providing shelter and services to internally displaced people (IDP) have been destroyed in fires.
Stanisland Magazine 