Sudan’s civil war is showing signs of a turning point as General al-Burhan’s forces capture the presidential palace in Khartoum from the RSF. This conflict has resulted in severe human rights violations and humanitarian crises, compounded by insufficient international aid. Despite military gains for Burhan, a resolution to the conflict and humanitarian support remain elusive, with significant implications for both Sudan and neighboring South Sudan.
Sudan’s civil war, ongoing amid failed international diplomacy, appears to be experiencing a pivotal shift. Recently, forces loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads the Sudanese army, seized the presidential palace in Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. This reclaiming of key locations by Burhan’s forces signifies a turn in battlefield dynamics since April 2023, when the RSF had initially overwhelmed Burhan with a swift assault on critical landmarks in Khartoum.
Over the weekend, the Sudanese army extended its gains by regaining control of the central bank, while reports from Omdurman indicated an increase in shelling. The RSF’s challenges in maintaining troop supplies, compounded by assistance from new Iranian and Turkish drones, have contributed to Burhan’s military successes. In a statement, the Sudanese military revered the capture of the presidential palace as “a symbol of the sovereignty and dignity of the Sudanese nation.”
The brutal civil conflict in Sudan has been marked by severe human rights violations, with allegations from rights groups pointing to atrocities from both factions. The Biden administration recently imposed sanctions on Hemedti, criticizing his role in what was labeled as the “second genocide in a generation” in Darfur. Aid organizations express distress over the challenges in delivering humanitarian assistance amid the chaos of the conflict, further complicated by the presence of local militias.
International support appears divided, with the RSF allegedly receiving backing from the United Arab Emirates and, to some extent, Russia, while the Sudanese military is supported by Egypt, Turkey, and Iran. Mediation attempts for a truce have consistently faltered, leading to an unstable situation that sees Burhan’s army in control of certain regions while the RSF holds significant territory in others, particularly in Darfur.
In an alarming development, the escalation of violence in Sudan has had adverse effects on neighboring South Sudan, where the collapse of a power-sharing agreement has triggered vacations from international embassies and warnings from U.N. officials about a potential resurgence of civil war. Despite these pressing crises, international assistance remains critically insufficient, with UN humanitarian funding standing at a mere 6.63% of the required amount for Sudan.
The civil war in Sudan is at a critical juncture, with recent gains by the Sudanese army signaling a possible shift in power. However, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing violence and complex humanitarian crises exacerbated by a lack of international support. Both Sudan and South Sudan face dire circumstances, with warnings of renewed conflict and suffering. A comprehensive approach is crucial to address the humanitarian needs and foster stability in the region.
Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com
