Lives Updates: US Diplomatic Convoy Shelled in Sudan

Clashes between Sudan’s regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out on Saturday in Sudan’s capital of Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. Government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases.

The United States confirmed that its diplomatic convoy had been shelled in Sudan amid clashes between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“I can confirm that yesterday, we had an American diplomatic convoy that was fired on. All of our people are safe and unharmed. But this action was reckless, it was irresponsible and, of course, unsafe,” US Secretary of State Blinken said.

11:32 18.04.2023

Army Rejects US-Brokered 24-Hour Humanitarian Truce, Saying Operation Against RSF Entered Crucial Stage

“We are not aware of any coordination with the mediators and the international community about a truce, and the rebel’s announcement of a 24-hour truce aims to cover up the crushing defeat it will receive within hours,” the office of the spokesperson of the Sudanese armed forces said in a statement.

The statement added that the army’s operations against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) “have entered a crucial stage and our efforts are focused towards achieving our goals at the operational level.”

11:27 18.04.2023

Iraq Says It Is Ready to Host Talks Between Sudan’s Army and RSF

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid stated that his country is willing to host negotiations between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

“Here I assure the brothers in Sudan that Iraq is ready to make efforts and help in offering opportunities for constructive dialogue in a way that contributes to giving priority to the logic of peace and strengthening the democratic path,” he said on social media.

11:12 18.04.2023

Gunfire Is Heard Again in Khartoum and Omdurman, as Sudanese Army Jets are Flying

Shooting is heard again in the Sudanese metropolis of Khartoum and its satellite city of Omdurman, Sputnik correspondent reports.

In addition, Sudanese army aircraft are flying in the airspace over both cities.

09:28 18.04.2023

UN to Evacuate Some of Its Staff From Sudan Amid Hostilities

The United Nations will evacuate some of its staff and their families from Sudan amid rising casualties after the ceasefire collapsed, UN Special Representative Volker Perthes has said.

“We will have to evacuate some of our staff, non-essential staff [and] relatives,” Perthes, who also heads the UN mission in Sudan, told journalists.

09:02 18.04.2023

Ethiopia Believes ‘Proud’ Sudanese Have ‘Enough Wisdom & Ability’ to Overcome Their Problems, PM Says

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called on outside forces to refrain from interfering in the affairs of the people of Sudan, arguing that the Sudanese are historically known to cherish their independence and have the ability to solve the ongoing crisis

He noted that foreign interference in Sudan will only make the situation worse.

“It is well known that the brotherly Sudanese people, throughout their ancient history, are a proud people who love their independence, adhere to their freedom, and that they never negotiate over their national pride and dignity,” Ahmed said in a statement. “The desire of the Ethiopian Government and people is to see that the Sudanese people solve their own problems with the wisdom they are accustomed to,” the PM concluded.

08:26 18.04.2023

Almost 200 Killed, 1,800 Wounded in Sudan Clashes, UN Says