Sudan's warring generals agree to 24-hour truce

Sudan’s army has bluntly rejected a call by rival paramilitary forces for a 24-hour humanitarian cease-fire, after four days of fierce fighting that has claimed the lives of at least 200 people.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries had proposed a 24-hour pause in the fighting on Tuesday.

Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the RSFو said on Twitter after his call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the RSF "reaffirms its approval" of a 24-hour "armistice to ensure the safe passage of civilians and the evacuation of the wounded.”

The army, however, dismissed his offer, accusing the RSF of trying to use a cease-fire “to cover up the crushing defeat it will receive within hours.”

"We are not aware of any coordination with the mediators and the international community about a truce, and the rebellion's declaration of a 24-hour truce aims to cover up the crushing defeat it will receive within hours," it said.

In the meantime, the paramilitary group posted a video statement on Twitter that appeared to show its armed fighters assembled outside the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum.

The fighters claimed in the video that they have captured the capital.

Explosions, however, continued to rock the capital and across Sudan during the day, as it was not clear who was in control of the country, or which of the two dueling forces had the upper hand in the violence, which has now entered the fourth day.

The deadly violence, which erupted on Saturday has so far killed nearly 185 people and wounded more than 1,800 others, according to United Nations figures.

Egypt admits its troops' presence in Sudan

In another development, Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has for the first time publicly addressed his country’s military involvement in Sudan.

Sisi said in a meeting with top military officials on Monday night that Egypt was working to ensure the safety of its troops who were captured by paramilitary forces at a military base on Saturday.

“Our forces were present for training with the brothers in Sudan and not, absolutely not, for supporting any party against another,” he said.

General Hamdan Dagalo told Sky News Arabia TV that the Egyptian soldiers were safe, and that the RSF had provided them with food and water and was ready to facilitate their return.

Egypt, Sudan’s neighbor to the north, has been accused of giving military support to General al-Burhan, who has for years been the country’s de facto leader.

SS