At least 56 civilians have been killed in fighting between Sudan army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, an independent doctors group reports.
Following months of tensions, the army and the RSF clashed on Saturday, April 15 and fighting continued on Sunday in the capital Khartoum.
The Sudanese Doctors Union said dozens of soldiers have suffered casualties and at least 595 people have been wounded across the country, according to Al Jazeera.
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The regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), urged both sides to immediately cease fighting, de-escalate the situation, and resolve their differences through dialogue.
"The Sudanese parties and stakeholders including [the army] and RSF have made commendable progress in the past few months towards signing a final political agreement and formation of a civilian-led transitional government, and these reports of fighting will not only cause setback but will also cause serious insecurity and instability to Sudan and the region at large,” IGAD’s Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu, said in a statement.
Shooting and blasts were reported in the vicinity of Sudan’s army headquarters and the defence ministry in central Khartoum, as well as the presidential palace and airport.
Gebeyehu called upon both sides to give dialogue a chance, cease hostilities, and allow the Sudanese people continue observing Ramadan fasting in peace.
"IGAD will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan in their aspiration for peace,” the statement said.
Months of escalating tensions between the military’s commander, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the head of the RSF, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, over the integration of the RSF into the army.
The chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Saturday called for an urgent ceasefire, urging the political, civilian and military parties to "find a consensual solution to the crisis created by the October 25 coup and its harmful consequences.”