Sudan rivals agree on ceasefire extension

RIYADH, May 29 (KUNA) -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America announced Monday that representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces signed in Jeddah a five-day extension to the May 20 Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire.
The parties affirmed their intention to use the five-day extension to implement provisions of the first ceasefire that were not fully achieved, including further deliveries of humanitarian assistance, facilitation of essential services repair, and evacuation of armed actors from hospitals, stated Saudi Arabi and the US, the deal mediators, in a joint statement.
The mediators condemned continued airstrikes, attacks, and prohibited movements, urging that the parties honor their obligations to refrain from those acts during the five-day extension.
The parties also agreed to discuss a longer-term ceasefire that could entail vacating forces from urban areas, including civilian homes, further removal of impediments to the free movement of civilians and humanitarian assistance, and enabling public servants to resume their regular duties.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America urged the two parties to adhere to their obligations under the May 20 short-term ceasefire agreement and the preceding Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. (end) mdm.ibi