Airstrikes and street fighting in Sudan continue

Heavy fighting between rival armies and paramilitary camps continues in Sudan. The fronts have hardened further in the three-day power struggle between the Sudanese army led by Sudanese general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the rival paramilitary units of his deputy Mohammed Hamdan Daglo. The number of civilian casualties is likely to rise further on Tuesday.

The Sudanese Medical Commission on Monday called on the parties to the conflict to stop their “ongoing attacks” on hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel. German UN mediator Volker Perthes criticized that international organizations and civilians were not protected in the clashes between the army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The United Nations had estimated at least 185 dead and 1,800 wounded by Monday night, including both combatants and civilians.

According to Perthes, fighting was still fierce in the capital Khartoum around the closed bridges, the international airport and the headquarters of the army and the RSF. According to Amnesty International, the use of heavy weapons, including artillery, tanks and jet aircraft, has wreaked havoc in densely populated areas of Khartoum. Amnesty said civilians were trapped in the middle of the battlefield. Given the confusing situation and the conflicting statements of both sides in the conflict, it remained unclear who prevailed in the power struggle between the rival camps.

Residents of the capital Khartoum reported continued gunfire and explosions. But fighting also continued in other parts of the country on the Horn of Africa, for example in the city of Merowe, which has an important airport, and in the city of Njala in Darfur. North Darfur governor Nimr Abdul Rahman told the German news agency on Monday night that at least 65 people have been killed and 160 others injured in his region alone. Electricity and water supplies have been disrupted in parts of North Darfur by the violence, Rahman said.

US calls for ceasefire

According to his ministry, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with both Al-Burhan and Daglo on Monday evening (local time). He made clear the urgency of a ceasefire to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid and the reunification of Sudanese families – and to allow the international community in Khartoum to secure its presence. Blinken appealed to the responsibility of the two generals to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians, diplomatic personnel and humanitarian workers.

UN mediator Perthes stressed he would try again on Tuesday to negotiate a resilient ceasefire between the warring factions. In talks with their leaders, both sides blamed each other for the escalation. According to him, Al-Burhan and Daglo are under great pressure. However, Perthes stressed that he is open to talks with the United Nations and other international actors.

The EU is also trying to persuade warring parties to consider a humanitarian ceasefire, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday night. He gave no details about the peace efforts. At noon, a spokesperson already reported on Borrel’s crisis talks with top politicians from Kenya, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Three East African presidents and a representative of the African Union travel to Khartoum as mediators. Due to the ongoing fighting, which was also fought at Khartoum International Airport, this has not been possible so far.

EU ambassador attacked

According to Borrell, the EU ambassador to Sudan was attacked in his own home. The law is a serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the EU foreign policy representative wrote on Twitter. The security of diplomatic facilities and personnel is primarily the responsibility of the Sudanese authorities and is an obligation under international law. Borrell gave no information about the type of attack and the perpetrator or perpetrators. He also left it unclear whether the ambassador had been injured or had escaped with a fright. In the evening in Brussels, diplomatic circles said that the ambassador was safe and was not injured.

The power struggle in Sudan is increasingly causing chaos in Africa’s third-largest country in terms of area, with a population of some 46 million and rich oil and gold reserves. 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”. However, Al-Burhan has not provided any specific information about possible negotiations. (sda/dpa)