Heavy gunfire shatters Sudan truce

The roar of warplanes, shooting and tank fire was reported across Khartoum, Sudan's capital, on Tuesday, squashing hopes that a 24-hour ceasefire supposed to take effect would hold.

Both the regular army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, accused each other of failing to respect the ceasefire in statements.

A UN spokesperson said the international body saw no indications of a halt in fighting.

"As of now, the fighting in Sudan, including Khartoum and various other locations, is continuing. No sign of real abatement of the fighting," a spokesman for United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.

Martin Griffiths, the top humanitarian chief at the United Nations, said on Tuesday that the organisation had received reports of sexual violence and attacks against aid workers.

Underscoring the chaos, Washington confirmed that one of its diplomatic convoys was fired upon on Monday, and the EU said its ambassador was attacked at home the same day.

The White House said Tuesday it had no plans for a government evacuation, but advised Americans in the country to remain sheltered in place.