The head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) approves the declaration of a 24-hour ceasefire to ensure the evacuation of the wounded and the safe passage of civilians into Sudan.

In particular, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedi, added that the Sudanese Army had failed to respect the ceasefire, bombing densely populated areas and endangering human lives. For its part, the Sudanese Army denies that it was informed of a 24-hour ceasefire.

In a series of posts on Twitter Dagalo added that he expects to have more discussions with US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, on how best to deal with these violations, while earlier in their statement the RSF had pointed out that they are fighting to restore the rights of their people with the main objective being the formation of a political government, which will lead to a real democratic transition.

Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said it was almost impossible to deliver humanitarian services around and in Sudan’s capital Khartoum and warned that the country’s health system was at risk of collapse.

For its part, the World Health Organization pointed out that there have been three recorded attacks against health infrastructure so far, in which at least three people have lost their lives, and repeated its call for them to stop.

Except for the severe shortages of vital supplies, power cuts make it more difficult to provide essential services.

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Over 1,000 European citizens and approximately 150 Greeks are in Sudan, according to Andreas Katsaniotis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of Hellenic diaspora matters.

Yesterday, the heads of the EU’s crisis management units held a meeting on how they can help European citizens in Sudan.

Efforts are currently being made to find a safe way for evacuations. However, if a safe passage is not found, such efforts will not materialize. However, if deemed necessary, the countries of the European Union as a whole can proceed with evacuations from Sudan or supply the places where there are European citizens.

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At the same time, Mr. Katsaniotis stated that the Ministry can only act “centrally, Europeanly”, noting that there are no Greek diplomatic authorities in Sudan. Thus, the country that has the responsibility of coordination is Egypt, with the Greek authorities being in close cooperation with Cairo.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in contact with the President of the Hellenic Community of Sudan, the honorable consul there, and the Metropolitan of Sudan, reminding that those Greeks who are in the area should have given their information to the embassy in Cairo.

The French are the ones who currently have the most trapped people and they are currently in charge of the operations on behalf of Greece, said Mr. Katsaniotis, noting that the condition of the two injured Greeks remains stable.

It is pointed out that 15 Orthodox – among them Greeks and two children – are trapped in the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation in Khartoum. The supplies, according to ERT, are enough for a few more days, while the fighting is escalating.

Finally, by order of Nikos Dendias, the Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was activated, which is in contact and coordination with the other EU member-states, through the Consular Cooperation system.

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