Sudanese factions agree to temporary cease-fire with US-Saudi mediation

US and Saudi mediators have announced that Sudan’s warring factions have agreed to a new short-term cease-fire after previous attempts to broker a truce that holds have failed. The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and signed off on a seven-day cease-fire that will take effect on Monday at 9:45 p.m. local time in Sudan. The US and Saudi Arabia said in a joint statement that the cease-fire could be extended if both sides agree. The talks in Jeddah had previously produced an agreement between the two sides on protecting civilians and easing the flow of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict. However, earlier cease-fire deals have foundered amid accusations by both of violations. The Monitoring and Coordination Committee is to be made up of three representatives each from the US and Saudi Arabia and three representatives from each party.