Diplomats attend a briefing by Foreign Minister Deng Dau Deng on the unfolding situation in Sudan. | Photo: Obaj Okuj/Eye Radio.

The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has briefed diplomats accredited to the country about the government’s response to the situation in Sudan.

Deng Dau Deng told the international ambassadors that President Kiir has reiterated calls on the warring parties to put down their guns and open humanitarian corridors for civilians caught in the midst of military clashes.

President Salva Kiir is expected to lead a high-level delegation that includes the presidents of Kenya and Djibouti to Khartoum to mediate the current conflict in Sudan.

The three presidents delegated by IGAD, have been unable to land in Sudan’s capital due to the fighting.

Minister Dau said the President has already contacted the Chairman of the Sudan Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the commander of Rapid Support Forces General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo – urging them to cease fire.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir begun making phone calls with his brother General Abdul Fatah Al-Burhan the Chairperson of Sudan Sovereign Council and his deputy General Muhamed Hamdan Dagalo urging them to exercises atmospher restrain and to deescalate the situation,” he said.

“Furthermore, …the president spoke excessively via phone call with his Excellency Abdul Fatah Al-sisi the President of Egypt, and on the same line of encouraging Sudanese forces to cease hostilities.”

Deng Dau said the South Sudan government is encouraging the two rivals to dialogue to find a solution for peace in Sudan.

According to Deng, the situation is still uncertain and it is impossible to predict what will happen in the coming hours.

Temporary ceasefire

Earlier, Sudanese Army General Shams El Din Kabbashi told Al-Arabiya TV that the Army has agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire starting at 6 PM local time (16:00 GMT).