The army and the paramilitary group it is battling agreed to a 24-hour cease-fire. But many residents were unsure whether the truce was solid enough to safely flee.
Terrified to step outside because of firefights and bands of armed men in the streets, residents remain stuck in their homes with dwindling supplies of food, water and medicine.
The violence against foreign officials, who are usually not targeted, highlighted how much the security situation has worsened in Khartoum in recent days.