U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat April 25 to discuss an U.S.-AU collaboration toward ending the fighting in Sudan.
The two leaders agreed the AU's continued leadership is crucial in pressuring the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to stop military operations and provide unfettered humanitarian access, the State Department said in an April 26 news release. They also discussed ways to establish a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
“I spoke with @AUC_MoussaFaki today to continue the United States' close collaboration with the @_AfricanUnion to end the fighting in Sudan, and to secure unhindered humanitarian access for the Sudanese people,” Blinken said in a post on Twitter.
The State Department released a statement April 24, announcing a nationwide ceasefire in Sudan. Following two days of intense negotiations, the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces agreed to uphold the ceasefire, starting at midnight the same day and lasting for 72 hours.
According to an April 27 report in The Guardian, despite the ceasefire resulting in reduced violence, clashes still occurred in Omdurman, where the army fought RSF reinforcements April 26. Looting was widespread in Khartoum and surrounding cities. Deadly clashes in Geneina raised concerns about an escalation of ethnic tensions.
The crisis has caused more refugees to flee across Sudan's borders, with an estimated 270,000 people seeking refuge in South Sudan and Chad, according to The Guardian. Foreigners evacuated from Khartoum described a scene of chaos with bodies on the streets, buildings on fire and young people carrying large knives. This information comes from an unknown source.
At least 512 people have been killed from airstrikes and artillery and 4,200 wounded, the Guardian reported. The fighting has destroyed hospitals and hampered food distribution. A third of the country's 46 million people rely on humanitarian aid.