There is no denying the fact that Sudan has confronted numerous coups and long periods of social unrest since gaining independence in 1956. However, the recent burst of violence in its capital, Khartoum, has brought to the world the realities of the North African nation’s multiple ongoing conflicts. 

At the heart of the clashes are two rival forces: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) lead by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) whose commander is Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The two leaders were, until recently, allies who worked together to overthrow the long-time Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and again paired up to end the transitional government via the military coup in 2021. This “partnership of mutual interests” between Sudan’s commander of the armed forces and the head of the RSF, reached its conclusion during negotiations to incorporate the RSF into Sudan’s military as part of plans to re-establish the civilian rule. However, the latter not only ruled out the negotiations, but also called for the dismantling of what it referred to the former as a ‘rebellious militia’, ensuing chaos in and around Khartoum. 

The fighting therefore erupted during the morning hours of 15 April, with the RSF claiming via a statement that they have seized control several key locations in the city, namely the Khartoum International Airport and the Presidential Palace, among others. Simultaneously, the military also urged citizens to remain indoors as the Air Force was engaged in chasing the RSF troops. With heavy gunfire and explosions heard from several locations across Khartoum, the fighting has converted the once-quiet neighbourhoods in and around the capital, into a war zone. 

As of 18 April, the clashes have entered their third day. Nearly 185 innocents have lost their lives and over 1800 are severely injured. Various international organizations such as the UN, the African Union Commission (AU) and the Arab League Council (AL) and many countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Russia, the United States, as well as the EU have called for an immediate halt of all armed clashes in Sudan.

What now remains to be seen, is whether the regional and international mediators intervene in the right manner and attempt to stabilize Sudan in a way that it breaks its long overdue political stalemate or aggravate the situation so much so that it leads to a ‘fight to the death’ between the two rival factions.

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