Sudan’s army has recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum, a pivotal victory against the RSF. Despite celebrations, concerns about Sudan’s potential partition and ongoing violence persist. The humanitarian crisis has intensified due to the conflict, with dire consequences for civilians.
On Friday, Sudan’s army successfully recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum, marking a significant triumph against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This victory symbolizes a key step in the army’s counteroffensive strategy, initiated against the RSF since September of the previous year. Celebrations erupted nationwide as the army asserted its control in the capital, which has been a focal point since the civil war began in April 2023.
Although the RSF maintains strongholds in southern Khartoum, it has largely lost its grip on the capital. This development follows a recent video release by RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, in which he urged his fighters to resist giving up control of the palace. Civilians have reacted positively to the army’s advances, viewing them as liberators, despite allegations of army-aligned militias engaging in human rights violations in the wake of RSF retreats.
The RSF has been implicated in numerous atrocities, particularly in Khartoum, where a report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) highlighted the detention of at least 10,000 individuals since the onset of the conflict. Reflecting on the current situation, a young Sudanese man named Yousef described, “In areas the RSF controls, they kill people, rape women and destroy all humanity. Whenever the army arrives, people become happy because they feel safer. Even the children are joyous.”
However, the army’s recent capture of the presidential palace has raised concerns about Sudan drifting toward a potential partition. Analysts observe that the RSF is aligning itself with a parallel government and commands considerable power in four out of five regions of Darfur. The RSF’s recent acquisition of al-Maliha, a vital desert city in North Darfur, is indicative of its ongoing military efforts, even as it struggles to secure el-Fasher, the region’s capital.
Experts such as Sharath Srinivasan from Cambridge University warn of a worsening split in governance as the RSF’s influence grows, stating, “It feels the geographic bifurcation is getting stronger… RSF has to secure el-Fasher to claim a de facto state, which is not certain at all.”
Despite capturing the presidential palace, the army remains unwilling to engage in peace negotiations with the RSF. Historical patterns indicate the RSF has utilized diplomacy as a façade while continuing its military offensives. The continued fighting raises alarms about escalating violence, particularly in Kordofan and Darfur, as both factions express intentions to persist in their conflict.
The recent surge in advanced weaponry entering Sudan further complicates the situation, as evidenced by a drone strike that killed three journalists shortly after the army’s palace recapture. This protracted conflict has already precipitated a humanitarian crisis of significant proportions, with tens of thousands dead, scores missing, and millions facing severe food insecurity.
In summary, the Sudanese army’s recapture of the presidential palace in Khartoum represents a decisive moment in the ongoing conflict with the RSF. While this victory is celebrated as a liberation by the civilian population, concerns about potential partition, escalating violence, and severe humanitarian crises loom large. Future peace efforts remain uncertain amidst the backdrop of continued hostilities and the introduction of advanced military equipment.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
