US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that warring parties in Sudan have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire from midnight (22:00 GMT). This is the third ceasefire to be declared since violence erupted in the African nation this month, but none have been successful. Mr Blinken said the agreement was reached after 48 hours of negotiations between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
At least 400 people have been killed since the fighting began, and residents in the capital Khartoum have been instructed to stay indoors as food and water supplies become scarce. It is hoped that the ceasefire will allow civilians to leave the city and for foreign governments to evacuate their diplomats and citizens.
The violence began on 15 April, primarily in Khartoum, between rival military factions vying for control of Sudan. This followed days of tension as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country, which the army viewed as a threat. The RSF has since issued a statement affirming their commitment to a complete ceasefire during the truce period. The army has yet to comment publicly.
The international community is now watching closely to see if this ceasefire will hold, allowing for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. It is essential that all sides respect the agreement and work together to bring an end to the violence in Sudan.