Caring for civilians in Sudan – UN reports at least 185 dead and 1,800 injured

After days of bloody fighting in Sudan, concern for the civilian population is growing. The United Nations now estimates at least 185 dead and 1,800 injured, including civilians, in the internal power struggle. The Northeast African country’s medical commission on Monday called on the parties to the conflict to stop their “ongoing attacks” on hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel. The EU intervened in efforts to find a solution. The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs now warns against travel to the Northeast African country.

German UN mediator Volker Perthes said after a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York that “international organizations and civilians” would not be protected in the clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In the capital Khartoum, heavy fighting continued over bridges, the international airport and the headquarters of the army and the RSF. Fighting is also raging in the Darfur region.

The long-simmering power struggle between the army commanded by ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the rival RSF of his deputy Mohammed Hamdan Daglo escalated over the weekend. Given the confusing situation and conflicting information from both parties to the conflict, it remained unclear who had the upper hand on the battlefield.

Perthes on Tuesday announced new attempts to negotiate a resilient ceasefire. During talks, both sides blamed each other for the escalation. According to the German mediator, Al-Burhan and Daglo are under great pressure, but are open to talks with the United Nations and other international actors. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced that work is underway to convince both sides of a “humanitarian ceasefire”.

The medical commission said that medical care for the population was blocked by the shelling of health facilities. As a result, the sick and injured can no longer be treated in many places. Safe evacuation of the patients is not possible, it said. In addition, many clinics have no drinking water or food. Local residents in the capital Khartoum continued to report shots and explosions. But fighting also continued in other parts of the country on the Horn of Africa.

The power struggle is wreaking havoc in Africa’s third-largest country by area, with a population of some 46 million and rich oil and gold reserves. The military and the RSF both claimed control of the state broadcaster building. The battles in Khartoum center on strategic points such as the army headquarters, the presidential palace and the airport. These are located in densely populated areas of the city.

Artillery, tanks and fighter planes are deployed. The army conducts airstrikes on RSF positions. Khartoum residents and observers reported on social media this weekend that RSF fighters had also taken up positions in residential buildings. RSF leader and former vice president Daglo called for international support. General Al-Burhan is “a radical Islamist who bombs civilians from the air”. Islamic forces were among the supporters of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019, and they continue to play a role in the military.

Broadcaster Sky News reported that Al-Burhan expressed willingness to talk in a telephone interview on Monday. “Every war ends in negotiations, even if the opponent is defeated,” he said accordingly. The army will win – “absolutely, God willing”. Daglo, also known as Hemedti, and his unit have been accused of serious human rights violations in the conflict in the Darfur region in the past.

In 2019, following civil protests, Daglo and Al-Burhan overthrew longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir and returned to power in 2021. In the course of the transition to civilian government, the RSF would be incorporated into the military, leading to conflict. Daglo, on the other hand, accuses Al-Burhan of not wanting to give up his power. (sda/dpa)

(first/yam/sda/dpa)