By Jean Pierre Afadhali
Various parties in Sudan crisis have welcomed the truce agreement signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday which becomes effective today at 21:45 Khartoum time (GMT +2) this evening.
Government, political class, Civil Society in Sudan and International community have hailed the ceasefire agreed last weekend amid conflict in which more than 1000 have lost their lives, reported Dabanga, a Sudanese independent news outlet.
“The agreement on a seven-day 'short-term ceasefire and humanitarian arrangements, signed in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, which becomes effective at 21:45 (Khartoum time GMT+2) this evening, has been welcomed by government, political, and civil society organisations within Sudan and abroad.” Added the publication.
According to Dabanga, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), local paramilitary group welcomed the signing of the Jeddah agreement and affirmed its full commitment to the ceasefire, and to work to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and open passages for civilians. The RSF affirmed its determination to implement the security and military reform program in order to achieve stability.
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the agreement, and affirmed the commitment of the government of Sudan to the provisions of the agreement, and expressed its hope that the agreement would achieve the goals for which it was signed, and alleviate the suffering of the heroic Sudanese people as a result of the war, added Dabanga.
'Sudanese blood is precious'
The Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Abdul Rahman, was quoted as saying “Sudanese blood is precious," stressing his country's keenness on stability and security of Sudan. In media statements following the signing of the ceasefire, he thanked the two parties for their position and cooperation in reaching this agreement. "The people of Sudan are waiting for this, and this, God willing, will bring a lot of good," he says.
The USA, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and the Gulf Cooperation Council welcomed the agreement.
"It is time to silence the guns and allow unimpeded humanitarian access," US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a post on Twitter.
"I appeal to both sides to uphold this agreement, and the eyes of the world are watching," he added.
Trilateral mechanism and regional blocks
The AU-IGAD-UN Trilateral Mechanism also lauded the agreement, and called on the two parties to respect the ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of aid. It also called on the two parties to abide by the ceasefire.
The international community called on humanitarian actors "to urgently unite their efforts to support the Sudanese people during these critical times".
Political forces and civil society
The opposition Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), the National Umma Party, Sudanese Congress Party, Sudan Liberation Movement under the leadership of Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) all issued separate statements welcoming the agreement, reported the publication on its website.
Local Bar Association and journalists have also welcomed the truce agreement that will allow humanitarian activities to take place smoothly in war ravaged country.
In recent weeks several truce agreements have not been respected by both warring sides.