A column of smoke rises behind buildings near the airport area in Khartoum on April 19 amid fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF paramilitaries. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

This is a miscalculation, Perthes said, adding that fighting and troop movement continue to be reported.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the violence and chaos in Sudan as “heartbreaking” and said the power struggle in Sudan is not only putting Sudan’s future at risk, but causing immense suffering for its people.

The United Nations has moved hundreds of staff and family members to Port Sudan from Khartoum and plans to establish a hub in Port Sudan to continue working in the country where, even before the violence broke out, nearly 16 million people - one-third of the population - were in need of humanitarian aid.