Airstrikes in Khartoum as Sudan ceasefire falters

Despite international pressure to maintain Sudan’s latest 72-hour ceasefire, this has not stuck, with more strikes reported in parts of Khartoum.

Millions of people remain trapped in the capital city - where there are shortages of food, water and fuel, reports BBC.

Violence is also reported to have been particularly bad in El Geneina, a city in Darfur in western Sudan, where militias are reported to have looted and torched markets.

The fighting began two weeks ago, and was triggered by a bitter power struggle between separate Sudanese military factions.

One of the warring generals, Hemedti, told the BBC on Friday his troops were being “relentlessly” bombed and that he would not negotiate until fighting ended

A deadline given by the UK government for Britons to catch flights out of Khartoum has passed - but a diplomatic office has been set up in Port Sudan.

No talks until bombing stops

Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, said his fighters were being “relentlessly” bombed since a three-day truce had been extended.

“We don’t want to destroy Sudan,” he said, blaming army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for the violence.

Gen Burhan has tentatively agreed to face-to-face talks in South Sudan.

Thursday night’s extension of an uneasy ceasefire followed intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN.

As of Saturday air, tank and artillery strikes are continuing in parts of Khartoum, making the prospect of any wider dialogue between the two rival military factions seem remote.

Speaking to the BBC by phone, Hemedti said he was open to talks but the condition was that the ceasefire should hold: “Cease hostilities. After that we can have negotiations.”

He said he had no personal problem with Gen Burhan, but regarded him as a traitor for bringing into government those loyal to former President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the army and RSF together in 2019 after mass street protests.

Bashir’s regime - in power for three decades - was known for its Islamist ideology and imposition of a strict version of Sharia (Islamic law).

“Unfortunately Burhan is being led by the radical Islamic front leaders,” Hemedti said.

In 2021, he and Gen Burhan overturned an agreement to share power with civilians, taking full control in a coup.

They fell out this year over the proposed return to civilian rule, in particular about the timeframe of incorporating Hemedti’s 100,000-strong Rapid Support Force’s (RSF) into the army.

“I am looking forward to having the civilian government today - before tomorrow, a fully civilian government. This is my principle,” Hemedti told the BBC.