The fighting in Sudan continues – the power issue is still not resolved

Artillery battles broke out again in the capital Khartoum, according to videos from local media. There were also reports of airstrikes by the Sudanese air force on paramilitary bases. It is feared that many people, including civilians, have been killed in the fighting since Saturday morning. A Sudanese doctors’ organization told US news channel CNN on Saturday that 25 people were killed and more than 180 injured.

The backdrop is a power struggle between Sudan’s ruler, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the armed Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since the fall of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and another coup against a civilian government that was set up as a result – but effectively controlled by the military – the military has taken control of the Northeast African country of about 46 million people. in 2021. The RSF was also involved in the coup two years ago.

In the course of the planned transition to civilian leadership in the country, the paramilitaries would be integrated into the regular forces, leading to tensions. Daglo insinuates that al-Burhan does not want to give up his position as de facto head of state.

The RSF claimed on Twitter late Saturday night that they had seized 90 percent of the military-controlled areas in Sudan and raided the army’s command center. The military dismissed this as lying. It is unclear who currently has the upper hand in the capital. In any case, the army was ruthless: there would be no dialogue or negotiations with the RSF, the group had to be disbanded first, according to a statement circulated on Facebook.

The escalation of violence caused concern around the world. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on the parties to the conflict “to immediately cease hostilities, restore calm and initiate dialogue to resolve the current crisis”. Guterres spoke by phone with RSF General Daglo on Saturday night. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also called for an end to the violence. At the request of Britain, the UN Security Council will discuss the situation in Sudan next Monday.

Al-Burhan accused the RSF of attacking strategic targets and his home in an interview with Al-Jazeera television on Saturday. RSF leader Daglo called for al-Burhan and his allies to be brought to justice. His rival is responsible for the conflict and will be captured “or die like a dog,” Daglo Al-Jazeera said.

The RSF had mobilized their units just a few days ago after the army again postponed the appointment of a prime minister and thus the transfer of power. Observers interpreted the mobilization as a threatening gesture by Daglo against the commander-in-chief al-Burhan. Most recently, Daglo spoke out in favor of a swift transition to civilian rule, opposing al-Burhan.

The RSF was founded in 2013 from militias in the western state of Darfur. During the decades-long conflict there, the RSF were seen as ruthless supporters of the Arab-dominated government, which used violence against the African minority. The group and its leader, Daglo, are accused of mass rape and other gross human rights violations.

After the overthrow of ruler al-Bashir in 2019, Daglo was considered the most powerful man in Sudan. However, Al-Burhan, the Inspector General of the Sudanese Armed Forces, took over government affairs. This retaliated with Daglo and initially refrained from incorporating the RSF into the state army. Daglo became al-Burhan’s deputy on the ruling transitional council. (sda/dpa)