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Fighting eased in Sudan on Wednesday, the second full day of a ceasefire that has allowed beleaguered civilians to venture out, even as they await safe aid corridors and escape routes.
Sporadic air strikes and artillery fire have still boomed across the capital, residents told AFP, but US and Saudi observers said “fighting in Khartoum appeared to be less intense” since the one-week humanitarian pause entered into force late Monday.
Washington and Riyadh, which brokered the ceasefire between the forces of two rival generals, however pointed to reports “indicating that both sides violated the agreement”.
Nonetheless, they stressed preparations were underway “to deliver lifesaving assistance” to the people of Sudan, who have endured more than five weeks of fighting that has claimed more than 1,800 lives, according to updated figures released Wednesday by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED).
Aid agencies had already been ramping up deliveries despite the killing of some of their workers, looting of their facilities, and most hospitals being unable to function in conflict areas.
Humanitarians have sought safe corridors so assistance can reach the 25 million Sudanese — half the population — who the UN says need aid.
The war broke out on April 15, sparking frantic mass evacuations of thousands of foreigners and forcing more than 1.3 million people to flee their homes internally and across borders…
