Sudan’s Military Retakes Control of Presidential Palace from RSF

The Sudanese military has announced the recapture of the presidential palace in Khartoum from paramilitary forces, marking a significant advance in a prolonged conflict. This victory comes amidst a humanitarian crisis that has led to significant civilian casualties and upheaval in Sudan’s political landscape following previous military coups. Allegations of human rights abuses persist, deepening the urgent need for international response.

On Friday, the Sudanese military announced that it had regained control of the presidential palace in Khartoum after nearly two years of conflict against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This strategic victory marks a significant turn in a war that has threatened the stability of Sudan.

Videos on social media showed soldiers celebrating inside the Republican Palace, indicating that they had completed their mission on the 21st day of Ramadan. The announcement, made by a military officer in the video, confirmed the military’s presence in the compound, which appeared heavily damaged from prior fighting.

The capture of the Republican Palace, historically an important seat of government along the Nile River, is a substantial gain for the Sudanese military, commanded by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan. This victory effectively expels the RSF, led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, from Khartoum, although the RSF continues to control territories in other regions of Sudan.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 28,000 deaths and forced millions to flee, leading to a humanitarian crisis described as the world’s largest. Some families are resorting to desperate measures to survive amid widespread famine. The Republican Palace has a rich history, having served as the administrative center since the colonial era and has faced frequent military assaults.

Since the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, Sudan has struggled with instability, exacerbated by a military coup in 2021 led by Burhan and Dagalo. The current fighting escalated in 2023, as the military has recently made significant advancements against the RSF, causing an increase in civilian casualties. Allegations of human rights abuses have surfaced for both factions, with the RSF accused of genocide according to U.S. government statements. Both the military and RSF have denied such accusations.

This ongoing setting illustrates the complex and severe situation in Sudan, underscoring the urgency for international attention and intervention to address the humanitarian crisis and restore stability.

In conclusion, the Sudanese military’s recapture of the presidential palace in Khartoum marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict with the RSF, reflecting shifting power dynamics within the nation. The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with alarming numbers of casualties and displacement. As both sides face allegations of human rights violations, a need for international intervention becomes critical to mitigate the devastating impacts of this conflict on the civilian population.

Original Source: www.france24.com