Peace facilitators Saudi Arabia and the United States have said "improved respect" for the agreement on a short-term ceasefire and humanitarian arrangements was noticed in Sudan on Thursday. Although the use of military aircraft and isolated gunfire were detected in Khartoum, the situation improved from May 24 when the ceasefire monitoring mechanism detected significant breaches of the agreement, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday. The breaches included "the use of artillery and military aircraft and drones, credible reports of airstrikes, sustained fighting in the heart of the Khartoum industrial area, and clashes in Zalingei, Darfur." Following the serious violations of May 24, the facilitators engaged the parties, pointing out that the resurgent fighting had endangered civilians, obstructed humanitarian assistance and prevented restoration of essential services, undercutting the ceasefire's principal aims, the statement read. They cautioned the parties against further violations and implored them to improve respect for the ceasefire on May 25, which they did. On Friday, humanitarian actors delivered urgently needed medical supplies to several locations in Sudan. In addition, maintenance crews were able to make repairs to begin restoring telecommunications services in Khartoum and other areas of Sudan. The facilitators urge the parties to carry forward the progress for the remainder of the short-term ceasefire and uphold their commitments under the May 11 Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. "Both parties must put the needs of the Sudanese people first and abide by the terms they agreed to just a few days ago," the statement said. Saudi Arabia and the United States called on the parties to adhere to their obligations under the ceasefire agreement and take the steps necessary to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services.
