News24.com | SA calls for cessation of hostilities in Sudan

• The SA government has called for peace and calm amid fighting that erupted in Sudan.
• Clashes between the different factions of the Sudanese army erupted during the weekend.
• The call for peace is in line with keeping with the AU objective of silencing the guns on the continent.

The South African government has called for peace and calm following fighting that erupted in several parts of Khartoum between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Clashes broke out on Saturday between Sudan's army and paramilitaries, and the doctors' union reported three civilian deaths, according to AFP.

It reported that military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, paramilitary commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, were fighting over the planned integration of Daglo's RSF into the regular army.

South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela said: "South Africa appeals to the different factions of the Sudanese army to immediately cease all fighting, spare the Sudanese people any further violence during this holy month of Ramadan and immediately return to the negotiation table, to agree on a sustainable military and security sector reform programme, as part of the final agreement towards the restoration of a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan."

READ | At least 56 civilians killed as Sudan battles rage for second day

Monyela added: "The situation in Sudan is disturbing as it affects ordinary people who have suffered from instability in the country over a prolonged period." 

The SA government said it joined the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in calling for the parties to return to the negotiating table and continue their dialogue with the aim of transitioning the country to a civilian-led government.

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