Sudanese citizens in Juba are calling on rival military factions to immediately cease hostilities, and restore peace through dialogue.
The Sudanese Muslims made this call on Friday last in Juba during Eid al-Fitr prayers held at Medan Zahra.
Safha Jamal, a mother of two who lost her relatives during the ongoing fighting in Sudan, called on a warring military rival to engage in dialogue to end the violence.
“Many of our relatives have died in the war in Sudan, and I want you to take courage like I have taken courage. We should celebrate this Eid safely,” Safha told Radio Tamazuj on Friday during prayers of Eid al –Adha.
“Many of my relatives have died in this war in Sudan; they died not in one location but in different parts of Sudan.”
The Fighting, which broke out early 15 April between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces fighters in Khartoum, has left more than 400 people killed and 3,500 injured, according to the UN.
Thousands of people are fleeing Khartoum and the western region of Darfur to seek refuge in neighbouring Chad.
“I would like to say, we wish all year a good and safe stay, and for the people of Khartoum, they should hopefully take courage as God will bring rescue,” Siham Jebar, 25, mother of two, said.
Mohammed Ali said the fighting is having a devastating impact on civilians.
“My message to the conflicting parties is for them to sit and come to the negotiating table. The war has no benefit, it is about destruction, and in the end, the most affected are civilians and Muslims,” said Ali.
Sheikh Juma Saeed, a former Presidential Advisor on Islamic Affairs in South Sudan, called on rival military factions to avoid the use of external forces.
“We want to tell people in Sudan, the conflict should not involve forces from outside, they have to avoid those who come and bring problems to the country, and we call Sudanese leaders to consider minority voice,” Juma said.