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Gunfire Heard in Khartoum Despite New Cease-Fire Declarations

by Mariama Diallo

   Khartoum, Sudan --

   Sounds of gunfire rang out across Sudan's capital Friday, despite
   renewed cease-fire declarations from Sudan's military and a rival
   paramilitary force locked in heavy clashes for the past seven days.

   Neither side had immediate comment on an offer from Kenyan President
   William Ruto to mediate the conflict, which has killed hundreds and
   prompted thousands of Khartoum residents to flee the city.

   The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF,
   each announced they would honor a 72-hour cease-fire beginning Friday
   to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

   "The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr ... to open
   humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the
   opportunity to greet their families," the RSF said in a statement.

   Gunfire was heard throughout the day in Khartoum, however, raising
   questions about whether the declared truce would fail like several
   others this week.

   In a televised message to the nation, Army chief General Abdel Fattah
   Burhan said he remains hopeful the military will win the battle, and he
   vowed to secure what he called Sudan's "safe transition to civilian
   rule."

   For many Sudanese, Burhan's claim likely rang hollow, as 18 months ago
   he joined forces with RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo to seize power
   in a coup that ousted a pro-democracy transitional government.

   In Kenya, Ruto made his offer to mediate the conflict as he conveyed a
   message of goodwill to the Sudanese as Ramadan comes to an end.

   Murithi Mutiga, Africa program director of the International Crisis
   Group, said it's encouraging that neighbors, including Kenya, are eager
   to help resolve the Sudan crisis, but he's skeptical that Ruto or any
   one leader can do it alone.

   "The reality, though, is that you need concerted actions by multiple
   external partners because nobody has really substantial leverage over
   the main actors," he said.

   Ruto said he strongly believes that a peacefully negotiated solution to
   the conflict in Sudan is within reach. He expressed hope the fighting
   parties will respond to appeals to end the fighting put forth this week
   by the East African regional bloc IGAD and the African Union.

   But Mutiga said major powers need to step in.
   "It's good to support the regional initiatives that might send the
   Kenyans, the Djiboutians, and South Sudanese heads of state, but they
   need to be backed up by serious external pressure, particularly by two
   key players: Saudi Arabia and the U.S.," he said. "They have
   considerable access to the main actors. They might be able to move the
   needle and they might be able to encourage them to accept talks."

   Ruto said halting the fight will be a gesture of goodwill and will stop
   a descent into conflict, insecurity, instability and humanitarian
   crisis.

   Mutiga said the RSF's announcement of a cease-fire that was seemingly
   met with no interest from the Sudanese army suggests the RSF might be
   under some sort of military pressure.

   "But we have to remember that this is a very large force, very
   motivated force and one with a lot at stake," Mutiga said. "The armed
   forces seem determined to crush them militarily, but that is partly
   because they worry that a truce might allow the RSF to reinforce."

   Regardless, Mutiga said it is essential that the two parties move
   toward an agreement sooner rather than later because the suffering in
   Sudan has been horrific.

   At least 330 people have been killed in the power struggle between the
   two previously allied leaders of the ruling military junta, Burhan and
   Dagalo.

   Mariama Diallo reported from Nairobi, Kenya. The Associated Press and
   Reuters contributed to this report.