Services restored in Sudan's capital after sporadic fighting in tense calm

Water and electricity services were restored today in some areas of Khartoum, currently in tense calm after sporadic fighting last night between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (FAR) despite the truce that came into force last Monday night.

The three districts of the Sudanese capital are cautiously calm on Thursday, hours after an overnight clash between the two sides in the town of Um Durman, which army planes flew over on an inspection and reconnaissance mission, according to EFE.

Khartoum state governor Ahmed Ozman Hamza said in a televised statement that "the water authority managed to restore water services to large areas affected by the fighting".

He also said the electricity distribution company "completed maintenance of power lines in the capital's cities and power was restored in several areas".

The governor also admitted the fuel crisis in the country due to insecurity, which is why his government reached an agreement with the Ministry of Energy to set up fuel stations in safe areas.

In reference to food supplies, Hamza added that the problem of bread shortages is related to the transfer of wheat flour due to the lack of security resulting from the fighting.

In addition to affecting these services, the conflict that began a month and a half ago in the African country has already left 709 dead and 5,424 wounded in hospitals in all states, according to the latest data announced by the Sudanese Ministry of Health.

Still, the independent Sudanese Medical Union, which has staff on the ground, put the number of civilians killed by crossfire since fighting broke out on 15 April at 865, while 5,335 people were wounded.

Tensions eased on Thursday, although the Sudanese army and the FAR violated the second day of a week-long truce brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States by clashing in different areas of Khartoum on Wednesday.

The mediators and monitors of the ceasefire themselves yesterday denounced "breaches" by both sides of the truce, which aims to pave the way for the arrival of urgent aid to Sudan, avoid harm to civilians, occupy or use for military purposes civilian facilities, especially health or service centres.

The current ceasefire is the only one with a supervisory commission composed of representatives of the mediators and the warring parties to monitor the cessation of hostilities.