Explosions have been heard near the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, a day after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it would agree to a humanitarian ceasefire.
Residents in Khartoum, which is controlled by the army, reported being woken overnight by the sounds of drones and explosions. The blasts appeared to take place near a military base and a power station in the early hours of Friday morning, according to reports from residents.
The RSF has not acknowledged these reports, but Sudan's military-led government expressed skepticism about agreeing to a truce, citing concerns over the RSF's track record of not honoring ceasefires.
The prolonged conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 150,000 people and displaced 12 million others since the civil war began in April 2023. Additionally, a UN-backed global hunger monitor confirmed that famine conditions are worsening in conflict-affected regions.
On Friday, drone activity was reported not just in Khartoum but also 300 kilometers north in Atbara, another military-controlled area. Witnesses claimed that anti-aircraft defenses shot down several drones, with explosions noted in the eastern parts of the town.
The day before, the RSF had announced its agreement to a humanitarian truce proposed by the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. This proposal, originally put forth in September, aims to end hostilities and facilitate a transition to civilian governance. However, skepticism remains regarding the RSF's commitment to the agreement, as Sudan’s government has previously rejected assertions of equivalency between itself and what it calls a 'terrorist militia.'
The RSF's recent operations to seize control of key cities like el-Fasher may provide them with greater leverage in future negotiations, but they've also faced international backlash over allegations of mass killings and other violent acts against civilians, which they deny.
