Ashrsf AboArafe
The full text of the agreement on a short-term ceasefire and humanitarian arrangements between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces signed in the city of Jeddah:
Short Term Ceasefire Agreement and Humanitarian Arrangements
We, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces referred to below, by the two parties, reaffirming our commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan, and reaffirming our commitment to the principles stipulated in the Jeddah Declaration for the Protection of Civilians in Sudan signed on May 11, 2023, and recognizing that the conflict in Sudan threatens civilian life and the long-term economic and social stability of the country, Recognizing further the severe impact of the conflict on civilians and the economy that will increase as it continues, Recognizing the need to strengthen the protection of civilians, Resolving to promote full respect for human rights and compliance with our obligations under international humanitarian law, Renewing our commitment to a short-term ceasefire to facilitate the passage of humanitarian aid. We welcome the support and generosity of international donors in providing and delivering humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people, in accordance with international best practices and international humanitarian law, in cooperation with us. Accordingly, the following was agreed upon:
1. General provisions
a. The two parties agree that the objective of this agreement is to achieve a short-term ceasefire in order to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid and the restoration of basic services.
B. Under this agreement, the two parties include the Jeddah Declaration (Commitment to Protect Civilians in Sudan) as a reference, and reaffirm all the commitments contained therein, including the obligation to evacuate, to refrain from acquisition, to respect and protect all public facilities such as medical facilities, hospitals, and water and electricity installations, and to refrain from using them for military purposes.
c. This Agreement shall enter into force as soon as the Parties sign it. The short-term ceasefire period shall commence forty-eight (48) hours after the signing of this Agreement and its entry into force.
Dr.. The parties may agree to renew or update this agreement for additional periods, and to renew this agreement:
(1) The Monitoring and Coordination Committee shall be notified, no later than (48) hours prior to the termination of this Agreement, that the Parties are ready to agree to the renewal, and to propose updates (in the event of renewal).
(2) The parties may renew this agreement for a period to be agreed upon.
(3) The Agreement may be extended for additional periods by the same procedure.
(4) This Agreement shall expire if it is not renewed.
2. A short-term ceasefire:
a. The Parties agree to a short-term cease-fire, which is set forth in this Agreement, to take effect forty-eight (48) hours after the entry into force of this Agreement. The two parties undertake to use the time between the entry into force of this agreement and the start of the short-term ceasefire period by working on the following:
(1) Inform their forces of the terms of this agreement.
(2) Directing their forces to comply with the short-term ceasefire.
B. The calculation of the short-term ceasefire period shall begin forty-eight (48) hours after the signing of this Agreement and its entry into force, and thereafter shall remain in force for a period of seven (7) days.
c. Each party shall perform this Agreement fully and in good faith and shall ensure that all forces under its command and control, abide by this Agreement at all times and in full.
d. Ashort-term ceasefire applies throughout Sudan.
e. The two sides shall inform the civilian population of the short-term ceasefire through publications, radio and all possible means of communication. Both sides shall provide accurate information regarding the short-term ceasefire to the media.
And the. During the period of the short-term cease-fire, the parties shall guarantee the freedom of movement of civilians throughout the country and protect them from violence, harassment, recruitment, or other abuses.
f. The parties warrant that all forces under their control cease and desist from the following prohibited acts, which are in violation of this Agreement:
* All violations and breaches of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law.
* Attacks and hostilities, including sniper attacks.
* Air attacks and the use of military aircraft, drones or any heavy weapons.
* Shooting at any civilian aircraft or humanitarian aid carrier.
* Torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, including sexual and discriminatory violence in all its forms.
* Targeting civilian infrastructure or population centers.
* Obtaining or strengthening defences, or resupplying or distributing weapons or military supplies, including from foreign sources.
* Attempts to occupy or occupy new territory or locations, including civilian infrastructure or population centres.
* Movement of forces, weapons, or resources, except as provided in the permitted actions in this Agreement.
* Recruiting, enrolling or mobilizing soldiers.
* Harassment, attacks, hostage-taking or unlawful detentions of civilians, including humanitarian workers.
* Looting or confiscation of property, resources or humanitarian supplies.
* Restricting or obstructing the movement of civilians, including humanitarian workers and humanitarian aid items.
* Threatening to use force or inciting violence.
* Impeding any monitoring or verification of the short-term ceasefire.
* Espionage activities by air, land or sea.
* Using civilians as human shields.
* Occupying hospitals and basic infrastructure facilities, including water facilities
