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Fighting intensified in several areas of Khartoum on Sunday after a ceasefire deal expired, residents of Sudan’s capital reported, and activists said a new outburst of violence in North Darfur state had left at least 40 people dead.
The ceasefire between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had started on May 22 and expired on Saturday evening.
Brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States, it calmed the fighting slightly and allowed limited humanitarian access, but like previous truces was repeatedly violated. Talks to extend the ceasefire broke down on Friday.
The deadly power struggle which erupted in Sudan on April 15 has triggered a major humanitarian crisis in which more than 1.2 million people have been displaced within the country and caused another 400,000 to flee into neighboring states.
It also threatens to destabilize the region as a whole.
Live footage on Sunday showed black smoke billowing above the capital.
“In southern Khartoum we are living in terror of violent bombardment, the sound of anti-aircraft guns and power cuts,” said 34-year-old resident Sara Hassan by phone. “We are in real hell.”
Among the other areas where fighting was reported were central and southern Khartoum, and Bahri, across the Blue Nile to the north.
