Amid the rising tensions in Sudan, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had appealed for a ceasefire to allow the citizens to reach to safety on Eid al-Fitr. Despite reportedly agreeing to Eid al-Fitr truce, gunfires, explosions were heard in the capital city of Khartoum on Friday.
Responding to the call for ceasefire, Sudan's paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has announced that it will shortly begin a ceasefire. In a statement released, RSF said that it would observe a 72-hour ceasefire, which would come into effect on Friday, which marks Eid al-Fitr.
"The armistice coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr, and to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families," the statement said.
Meanwhile, there was not any such announcement from Sudan's Army.
Since the power struggle broke out last week between Army's General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the world leaders called for ceasefires.
A three-day truce over Eid was called for by the UN Secretary-General. After meeting with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and the other organisations on Thursday, Guterres said that "There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for the cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority."
The civilian trapped in the fighting zones should be given a chance to escape and seek medical treatment, he added.
Over 300 civilians were killed in the fighting that broke out between the forces since last week. Thousands of civilians crossed into Chad to flee fighting in the westren region of Darfur.
Also, amid violence the medical system is under the verge of collapse with many hospital shut down and running out of supplies.
Earlier, a coalition of civil groups said it had submitted a proposal for a three-day truce to rival factions that have been locked in a week-long battle for control and they responded favourably.
"We welcome the positive position of the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces," the group said in social media. US, and UK also endorsed the ceasefire proposal.
Meanwhile, India is in touch with various countries with a key focus on ensuring the safety of its nationals in Sudan, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday, adding that the ground situation in the violence-hit country is “very tense”.
He said India is keeping a close watch on the developments in Sudan and that the safety and security of Indians is our key focus. Asked whether India is looking at evacuating the Indians in Sudan, he said some plans are being worked out but it will depend on the ground situation.
"We are engaged with countries in the region and other countries that have a key role to play particularly, the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE," he said.