Khartoum (EFE) reiterates its commitment to safeguard the lives of civilians in the areas they control.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to safeguard innocent civilians in our control areas, which reflects our respect for human dignity and the sanctity of life,” the Sudanese said on his official Twitter account after having a conversation with Blinken who described as “vital”.
“We talked about the pressing problems of Sudan and our common dedication to freedom, justice and democracy for our peoples. We recognize the challenges before us, standing firm against extremism that undermines our progress towards a just and democratic society,” Hemedti said.
He said that it is necessary to “protect” the people and defend their values, since they participate “reluctantly in this war.”
“I am grateful to Mr. Blinken and to the United States for their continued support and shared commitment to restoring stability to Sudan. We will have another call to continue the dialogue and work hand in hand to forge a brighter future for our nations”, he concluded.
The exact areas controlled by the FAR in Sudan are unknown at this time due to discordant statements issued by both parties and which cannot be independently verified.
Blinken called for an urgent ceasefire
In a statement, the deputy spokesman for Blinken’s office, Vedant Patel, said the secretary of state had asked both Hemedti and the leader of the Sudanese army, Abdelfatah al-Burhan, for an urgent ceasefire and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“The secretary expressed grave concern over the deaths and injuries of so many Sudanese civilians due to sustained and indiscriminate fighting, and stressed the responsibility of the two generals to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians, diplomatic personnel and aid workers. ”, is noted in the note.
Yesterday, the ambassador of the European Union (EU) in Sudan, Aidan O’Hara, escaped “unharmed” after being attacked at his residence in Khartoum, said the EU mission in the African country.
Since clashes between the Sudanese Army and the FAR began last Saturday, more than 180 civilians have been killed and more than 1,800 injured, according to the UN.
Al Burhan and Hemedti joined forces to carry out a coup in the country in 2021, and even headed a government under the command of the military until the fighting began on the 15th.
The tension escalated in the midst of negotiations to form a civilian government, in which one of the main points was the restructuring of the Armed Forces and the integration of the FAR into them, which unleashed a power struggle for the leadership of the Army.
Sudanese doctors estimate 144 civilian deaths since last Saturday
The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors reported today that at least 144 civilians have died and more than 1,400 have been wounded, a figure lower than that provided yesterday by the UN of more than 180 deaths, since the start of the fighting on the 15th. between the Sudanese Army and the powerful Rapid Support Forces (FAR) paramilitary group.
This independent committee clarified in the report that this is a preliminary number of victims, since there are areas that it has not been able to reach and count the dead and injured.
This Monday, during the third day of armed confrontations, 47 civilians died and there were 467 wounded between civilians and soldiers, according to the committee.