the failure of the attempt at a new truce; Human Rights Watch condemns the use of explosives in civilian areas

The roar of bombing and clouds of black smoke from the explosions shook the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Thursday, May 4. A day that was supposed to be the first of a seven-day ceasefire.

It is the longest truce promised so far by the two parties fighting for power in the absence of a government: the army and the paramilitary forces of the Rapid Support Forces.

But in the more than two weeks after the outbreak of fighting, none of the declared truces have been honored.

Fresh scenes of violence are recorded at the time when Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan They tried to hold back the rival forces of the general Mohammad Hamdan– which until recently were involved in the administration of the nation – in the vicinity of the presidential palace and the headquarters of the army.

Heavy shelling also took place in the neighboring cities of Omdurman and Bahri. Thousands of civilians are caught in the crossfire.

Human Rights Watch condemns the use of explosives in residential areas

Human Rights Watch has denounced in recent hours that among the weapons used by the two sides in areas inhabited by civilians are missiles and bombs, which increases the possibility of deaths, which was confirmed by Sudan until Tuesday, with no less than 550 dead.

“Sudan’s warring armed units display a reckless disregard for civilian life by using inaccurate weapons in populated urban areas,” said Mohamed Othman, researcher at Human Rights Watch in Sudan.

These actions also cause damage Critical infrastructure for access to water and medical care in the impoverished country, Human Rights Watch reminded that the opposing sides “have a long history of gross violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.”

“Many civilians in Khartoum and elsewhere have been forced to stay indoors, enduring water and electricity shortages amid soaring temperatures and a lack of medical care. Many hospitals and other medical facilities have had to close.”Othman pointed out.

Against this background, Human Rights Watch urged the United Nations and the African Union to take action. “It is critical that the Security Council halt all arms transfers to Sudan, ensure that violations are reported and create a mechanism to help bring perpetrators of serious crimes to justice,” he said.

The United Nations condemns the looting and calls for safe passage for humanitarian aid

Meanwhile, the United Nations said it had put pressure on warring factions in Sudan to ensure safe passage of humanitarian aid after six trucks were looted.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths hopes to hold face-to-face meetings with representatives of the two armed groups in the coming days to obtain assurances that aid convoys can deliver expected supplies to the population. . , eager for food, water and medicine.

In addition, the United Nations warns that the fighting could cause a “humanitarian catastrophe” that will spill over into other countries.

And it is that since the outbreak of armed confrontations on April 15, a wave of mass displacement has emerged inside and outside the borders of Sudan.

At least 330,000 people have been forced from their homes. Of those, about 100,000 have crossed into already impoverished neighboring countries, which are facing a refugee crisis as the number fleeing abroad could rise to at least 800,000, the United Nations estimates.

In Sudan, a quarter of the population relied on humanitarian aid before the ongoing conflict erupted, but that work is now being hampered by violence.

For now, with international mediators pressing for peace talks, the military has confirmed it will send a representative to hold talks with the leaders of South Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti.

However, he stressed that there will be no face-to-face discussions with the RFA, so contact will be through intermediaries.

With Reuters, AP, and EFE