KHARTOUM: Sudan's opposing military factions have agreed to a new ceasefire lasting seven days, starting on Thursday, as confirmed by neighboring country and mediator, South Sudan.

Despite this announcement, the latest supposed truce has been undermined by ongoing air strikes and gunfire in the Khartoum capital region. Prior ceasefire agreements have been short-lived, with violations frequently occurring since the conflict between the army and paramilitary forces began in mid-April.

South Sudan's foreign ministry disclosed on Tuesday that its president, Salva Kiir, led the mediation efforts, resulting in both sides agreeing to a week-long ceasefire from Thursday until May 11th, and appointing representatives for peace negotiations.

However, it remains unclear how army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and paramilitary Rapid Support forces (RSF) leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo will proceed.

Reports on Tuesday stated that more air strikes occurred in the cities of Omdurman and Bahri, located on the opposite bank of the Nile River from Khartoum. The Sudanese army's warplanes were allegedly targeting the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) positions, while anti-aircraft fire could be heard from Khartoum. Additionally, the Indian embassy in Khartoum was reportedly stormed and looted, and Saudi Arabia's cultural mission building in Khartoum was also vandalized and looted by an armed group.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in mid-April, has spread to the western Darfur region where the RSF emerged from tribal militias that fought alongside government forces against rebels in a brutal civil war that started two decades ago.

Despite being in a power-sharing agreement as part of a transition towards a civilian government and free elections, the leaders of the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have not shown any willingness to surrender, despite the ongoing conflict that has been raging for weeks. Neither side appears to have the upper hand, and a swift resolution to the conflict does not seem imminent.

Despite agreeing to a new seven-day ceasefire from Thursday, Sudan's military factions have continued fighting, with witnesses reporting more air strikes in the Khartoum region. The conflict, which erupted in mid-April between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support forces (RSF), has seen constant truce violations despite previous pledges ranging from 24 to 72 hours. The South Sudan government, acting as a mediator, facilitated the new ceasefire agreement and the appointment of envoys for peace talks.

However, the commanders of the army and RSF have shown no sign of backing down, and the conflict has spread to Sudan's western Darfur region. The humanitarian crisis has grown, with around 100,000 people forced to flee to neighbouring countries with little food or water, and foreign governments are winding down their evacuation operations. Prolonged conflict could draw in outside powers, risking the stability of the region.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has disrupted aid deliveries, which were already crucial for about a third of the population. The situation has created a humanitarian crisis in the region, with refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. The President of Egypt, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, expressed concern about the situation and warned that the entire region could be affected. He made these comments during a meeting with a Sudanese envoy in Cairo.

According to reports, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday that it is restarting its operations in the less risky areas of Sudan after temporarily halting work due to the conflict. Some of the organization's workers were killed during the conflict, prompting the pause.

The conflict in Sudan has led to a humanitarian crisis, with approximately 100,000 people fleeing with an food or water to neighboring countries, and around 330,000 Sudanese being displaced inside the country's borders.

Many have had to walk hundreds of kilometers in scorching desert conditions to reach safety. The U.N. World Food Programme and MSF are working to provide aid to those in need, while the U.N. migration agency estimates that around 800,000 people could eventually leave the country.

Displaced Sudanese families have also made their way, often by foot, to Chad and South Sudan, while over 40,000 people have crossed the border into Egypt, paying hundreds of dollars for the 1,000-km journey from Khartoum. The situation is dire, with power and water cuts, disrupted education, and limited access to humanitarian aid.