Published: Just now
full screen
Next
The WHO is warning of an “extremely dangerous situation” after one side in the conflict in Sudan occupied a lab in the country where disease samples are stored. Archive image.
1 of 2 Photo: AP/TT
A three-day-long ceasefire has been in effect since midnight between the warring parties in Sudan.
At the same time, the WHO warns of an “extremely dangerous situation” after one side in the conflict occupied a lab, where virus samples and bacteria are stored.
The WHO has not confirmed which of the parties has besieged the laboratory or where in the country it is located, but states that disease-causing viruses and bacteria are stored there. Among other things from polio and measles.
“The occupation of the central public health laboratory by one of the two warring parties leads to an enormous biological risk,” said Nima Saeed Abid, the WHO representative in Sudan, to AFP.
A three-day-long ceasefire has been in effect since midnight between the warring parties in the country.
The ceasefire is confirmed by Sudan’s regular military (SAF), which states that it was negotiated under the mediation of the United States and Saudi Arabia, Reuters reports.
Even the paramilitary forces RSF confirm the ceasefire and write on Twitter that it is being carried out to “open humanitarian corridors, facilitate citizens and residents to meet their needs, reach hospitals and safe areas and evacuate diplomatic missions”.
Intensive negotiations
Previous attempts at a ceasefire in the violent conflict that has been ongoing since mid-April have been broken.
According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who announced the agreement, the parties agreed after two days of intense negotiations.
At the same time, Blinken stated that the United States, together with other parties, is trying to put together a committee that will try to negotiate a permanent ceasefire in Sudan.
Over 420 people have been killed and more than 3,700 have been injured, according to the UN.
Thousands evacuated
Since Saturday, over 4,000 people have left Sudan in evacuations organized by other countries. The United States and countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia have brought home embassy employees and other citizens.
But millions of Sudanese have no way to leave the country. They remain in a situation with acute shortages of water, food, medicine and fuel and numerous internet and power outages.
Facts
Background: Two generals are fighting for power
A power struggle within the military regime in Sudan degenerated into great violence on Saturday 15 April.
The fighting is between the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary RSF (Rapid Support Forces) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Both generals claim to lead the country. Both are also the subject of allegations of widespread human rights abuses since cracking down on democratic opposition.
In 2019, the military deposed the dictator Omar al-Bashir, when he was pressured by widespread protests in the country where the population was tired of his rule.
Before falling out with each other, the generals created a junta and initially promised to share power during a transition to a democratic Sudan. But in October 2021, a new military coup took place in which the civilian leaders who were involved in governing were poked or imprisoned. A regular military junta took over, with the two generals at the helm.
Read more