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The 24-hour ceasefire agreed upon in Sudan has been shattered, casting a grim shadow over Eid al-Adha celebrations for the war-torn nation. After enduring more than 70 days of conflict, the people of Sudan experienced a holiday unlike any before.
Residents of the capital, Khartoum, reported hearing heavy gunfire early on Wednesday, accompanied by artillery and air strikes launched by the Sudanese army against Rapid Support Forces (RSF) positions. Negotiations between the conflicting parties are currently at a standstill.
Hiba Morgan, reporting from Omdurman, a city across the Nile from Khartoum, revealed that there was little sense of Eid in the air. The usually joyous Muslim festival was subdued, with few people venturing out onto the streets. The 17th ceasefire announced since the conflict began on April 15 is met with skepticism, as previous ceasefires have been repeatedly violated, leaving people unsure of their safety.
On Tuesday, the heads of the army and RSF unilaterally declared a truce for Eid. However, Morgan emphasized that the people of Sudan cannot truly celebrate this Eid al-Adha, as the prevailing atmosphere is one of sadness due to the loss of family members and displacement caused by the conflict.
Thousands of individuals fleeing the violence and seeking refuge along the border with Egypt, as well as those displaced from the western region of Darfur into neighboring Chad, are unable to partake in the festivities after the ordeals they have endured.
The conflict in Sudan has claimed the lives of at least 2,000 civilians, with many more sustaining injuries. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that nearly 2 million people have been internally displaced, while over 600,000 have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Despite peace talks mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia, no significant progress has been made, and fighting has escalated in recent weeks.