New ceasefire in Sudan to begin Monday

By Nathan Morley

A provisional ceasefire has been agreed in Sudan which will take effect from sunset on Monday.

Though previous ceasefires have fallen apart quickly, it is hoped this latest seven-day pause in the violence will last.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum and other areas since April 15.

Since the outbreak of violence, the two sides have been blaming each other of starting the conflict.

Earlier this week, the International Organization for Migration launched an appeal for 200 million dollars to provide humanitarian assistance.

Humanitarian crisis

So far, the conflict has displaced more than 843,000 people inside Sudan.

Day-to-day living is also becoming increasingly difficult amid frequent power outages. Compounding matters, prices for staple goods have shot up and there is a dearth of imported goods such as flour and cooking oil.

On Friday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) appealed for additional funding to address the needs of people fleeing into Ethiopia.

UNOCHA said 85,0000 people were expected to enter Ethiopia from Sudan.

Between April 21 and May 16, more than 22,600 arrivals were logged from more than 64 nationalities at just one crossing point in the north of the country.

Most crossing the border came from Khartoum, representing 76 percent of the total arrivals.

The United Nations says the worsening situation is having a negative impact on neighboring countries, many of which are coping with their own crises.

However, amid all this, the World Health Organization has managed to deliver medicines and medical supplies in Sudan.

The latest figures from the country show 822 people have been killed since the clashes erupted last month.