Sudan's de facto leader General Abdal-Fattah Al Burhan and his rival General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. | Photo: Courtesy.

The government said Saturday it is still engaging the Sudanese warring parties to agree to a lasting cessation of hostilities and dialogue as intense urban battle shatters a renewed ceasefire.

In a statement, South Sudan’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs said President Salva Kiir has been speaking with the two warring generals on the prospect of rescuing the collapsing ceasefire.

Deng Dau Deng said President Kiir is urging the two leaders to respect the ceasefire, allow humanitarian access, and provide a safe corridor for those fleeing the violence.

“The government of South Sudan, through these engagements with the parties want to build a more sustainable and prolonged ceasefire and cessation of hostilities through confidence-building measures that can pave the way for an amicable political settlement,” Dau said.

Ceasefire collapses

The Sudanese army on Sunday declared an all-out offensive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum city to retake key areas.

Fighting has intensified in the capital between the forces of Sudan’s de facto leader General Abdel Fatah al-Burhan, and those General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo – paralyzing the latest ceasefire.

SAF said it was attacking the city from all directions, with air strikes and heavy artillery, to flush out its paramilitary rivals, BBC reported.

The latest truce which was due to end late on Sunday, was forged to give millions trapped in the capital without essential supplies to escape to safety.

More than 500 people have been reported killed since fighting erupted on April 15, but the number of dead and injured may be much higher.

‘Senseless war’

Former Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok on Saturday warned that the deteriorating security situation in Sudan will have long-lasting devastating effects in the region, if left unchecked.

Speaking at a news conference in Kenya, Hamdok called for an end to the generals’ battle for leadership, terming the war as senseless.

“It is a senseless war. It is a war that nobody can secure absolute win,” Mr Hamdok said, according to Nation Africa.

“It will be a nightmare for the world. This war has to stop. It has so many ramifications,” the former premier said further.