Khartoum, 18 April 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Fighting continued in Sudan on Tuesday evening despite initial hopes of a ceasefire, according to eye witnesses and media reports.

Continuous explosions and gunfire apparently went off in Khartoum even after 6 pm (1600 GMT) when the fighting was meant to halt.

Representatives on both sides of the conflict had agreed to a 24-hour stop to the hostilities.

The paramilitary group RSF accused the Sudanese army of "violating the ceasefire agreed under international mediation" in a statement on Twitter issued at 6:14 pm.

"Attacks on RSF forces occurred in the first hours of the declared ceasefire," it said. The information about the fighting could not initially be verified.

Both sides also failed to abide by three-hour ceasefires that were planned on Sunday and Monday.

The sudden escalation in fighting has left many in Sudan stranded in their homes, schools and other facilities for days.

The United Nations says thousands of people have no food or access to medical care.

Earlier, Sudanese forces had given contradictory information about a possible ceasefire with the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with some pledging their support and others saying they were not aware of a ceasefire.

Photo: EPA