Sudan’s military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Friday declared the military’s commitment to a civilian-led government, he also said that it will continue operations against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RFS) in the capital, Khartoum, despite a 72-hour ceasefire call from the rival forces.
In his first speech since the conflict engulfed Sudan nearly a week ago, Gen. Burhan pledged that the military would prevail and secure the vast African nation’s “safe transition to civilian rule.”
Burhan’s announcement came on the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan and its month of fasting. “We are confident that we will overcome this ordeal with our training, wisdom and strength,” Burhan said, vowing to preserve “the security and unity of the state.”
On Friday morning, the army was tweeting clips of its troops on the streets of the city.
Sudan News website said violent clashes continued in Omdurman, in the west of Khartoum, with “heavy weapons”.
Ahmed Mamoun, a Khartoum resident, posted footage and photos of soldiers patrolling several streets in the capital.
Sporadic fighting has been reported in parts of the capital, despite the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) call for a three-day ceasefire with the army to coincide with the Muslim holiday of Eid.
The UN and several countries have been trying to persuade the two sides to agree to a truce.
The RSF said it had been forced to to act in “self-defence” to repel what it described as a coup attempt – but it would abide by the truce.
The army chief, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, made no mention of a ceasefire in a speech that has been posted on the army’s Facebook page.
The number of people who have died in fighting between rival military forces in Sudan has climbed to 413, the UN’s World Health Organisation has said.
Those injured now stands at 3,551 as clashes continue for a seventh day.
