Today, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed that the United States is in direct contact with the military leaders in Sudan, and is pressing for push to extend the ceasefire. Blinken said, in a joint press conference with his Kenyan counterpart, Alfred Mutua, in Washington, that the United States is exploring options available to restore diplomatic and consular representation to Sudan as soon as possible, adding that Washington is in close contact with its citizens in Sudan to provide assistance and facilitate exit routes. He continued: "We are working with allies and partners for their exit, but the overwhelming majority of Americans have dual nationalities, have lived there for years, perhaps decades, and want to stay there, but those who want to leave, we will work to evacuate and leave.". He also expressed Washington’s deep concern over the involvement of the Russian Wagner military group in the conflict in Sudan. And he said: "We have deep concerns about the Wagner Group’s involvement in Sudan and many other countries in Africa". For his part, the Kenyan Foreign Minister said, "This is not the time to take sides in a war" In Sudan.. adding: "We call on external powers to leave Sudan alone". Yesterday, Sunday, the United States announced the temporary suspension of operations at its embassy in Khartoum, and evacuated all American employees from Sudan. The international evacuations accelerated amid a temporary lull in fighting in Sudan, after clashes erupted between the army and the Rapid Support Forces last week. Earlier today, the Sudan Doctors Syndicate announced that the number of casualties in the clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces had risen to 273 civilian deaths and 1,579 injuries.
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