The Sudanese military reclaimed the presidential palace in Khartoum from the RSF, marking a symbolic yet significant victory in the ongoing civil war. This comes amid the military’s advances against the paramilitary group, which originally seized the palace. The situation remains dire, with significant humanitarian crises and allegations of war crimes from both sides.
On March 21, 2023, the Sudanese military successfully recaptured the presidential palace located in Khartoum, marking a notable advancement in the ongoing civil war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Khalid Al-Eisayir, Sudan’s information minister, announced, “Today, the flag has been raised, the palace has been reclaimed and the journey continues until victory is fully achieved.” Celebratory videos of Sudanese Armed Forces soldiers emerged on social media following this event.
This recapture is viewed as a significant yet symbolic victory in the military’s campaign against the RSF, which had originally seized control of the capital and the palace at the onset of the conflict. Over recent months, the Sudanese Armed Forces have gained crucial ground against the paramilitary group. As SAF troops continue to advance, RSF forces have begun to withdraw from the capital.
In light of recent military successes, Sudan has initiated a postwar roadmap aimed at restoring democratic elections. The civil war between the SAF and RSF has been ongoing since April 15, 2023, ignited by years of political turmoil following the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir.
Subsequent to Al-Bashir’s removal, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the SAF and his deputy, Mohammad Hamdan of the RSF, instigated another coup, which ultimately led to intense infighting and widespread conflict. Tragically, this war has claimed the lives of an estimated 150,000 individuals and has resulted in a profound humanitarian crisis, as reported by the United Nations, affecting over 30 million people in need of urgent assistance.
The United States has leveled accusations of genocide against the RSF and its affiliated militias, stating that both factions have engaged in war crimes, a view echoed by the International Criminal Court.
The recapture of the presidential palace by the Sudanese military signifies a crucial moment in the ongoing civil war against the RSF. Despite the symbolic nature of this victory, it is accompanied by a backdrop of humanitarian crises and conflict-related atrocities. The Sudanese government’s announcement of efforts toward democratic elections post-conflict represents a potential pathway to stability, amidst the challenges posed by the ongoing violence and international scrutiny of war crimes.
Original Source: www.upi.com
