2023-04-17 06:53:04
- Writing
- BBC News World
image source, Getty Images
Smoke rises above the buildings at the Khartoum airport.
Sudan has become for the third consecutive day the scene of violent clashes between members of the army and paramilitary militias known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF, for its acronym in English).
The fighting in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere is the direct result of a fierce Power fight within the country ruled by the military. These clashes have left, so far, a balance of more than100 dead and near 1.100 wounded.
Residents of the capital were caught in the midst of gunfire as rival forces battled for control of the presidential palace, state television and army headquarters.
But why did violence break out in Sudan and what are the motives behind the conflict?
In this guide we give you the keys to understand what is happening in the African country.
The clashes have left, so far, a balance of more than 100 dead and nearly 1,100 injured.
1 – What is the background of the fighting?
Since a happened coup in October 2021, Sudan has been ruled by a council of generals. Two soldiers are at the center of the dispute.
On one hand, the gGeneral Abdel Fattah al-Burhanwho serves as the head of the armed forces and, in fact, holds the position of the president of the country.
On the other, his deputy and leader of the RSF, the ggeneral Mohamed Hamdan Dagalobetter known as Hemedti.
image source, Getty Images
The rivalry between General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (pictured) and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is at the center of the dispute.
They disagree about the direction the country is taking and the proposed transition to civilian rule.
One of the most contentious points refers to the plans to include the RSF, made up of 100,000 troops, in the army and who would be in charge of leading the new force.
2 – Why did the hostilities start on Saturday?
The violence broke out after members of the RSF were redeployed throughout the country in a move that the army interpreted as a threat.
It was hoped that the situation could be resolved through dialogue, but this never materialized.
image source, Getty Images
If the fighting continues, this situation could further fragment the country and worsen the political turmoil.
It is not clear who fired the first shot on Saturday morning, but there are fears that the hostilities will further worsen an already volatile situation.
Diplomats have urged both sides to ceasefire.
3 – Who are the Rapid Support Forces?
The RSF formed in 2013 and have their origin in the notorious militia Janjaweed, who brutally fought the rebels and Darfur.
Since then, General Dagalo has built a powerful force that has intervened in conflicts in Yemen and Libya, and controls some of Sudan’s gold mines.
These forces have also been accused of human rights abuses, including the massacre of more than 120 protesters in June 2019.
Such a powerful force outside the army is seen as a source of instability.
4 – Why is the military in charge of the country?
The weekend’s fighting is the latest episode in the tension that followed the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
image source, Getty Images
There were large street protests calling for an end to President Omar al-Bashir’s rule of almost three decades.
there were great street protests who called for the end of his rule of almost three decades and the army organized a coup to remove him from power.
Only that the civilians continued to demand a role in the plan to move towards a democratic government.
A joint military-civilian government was then established, but it was overthrown by another hit in October 2021.
And since then, the rivalry between General Burhan and General Dagalo has intensified.
In December of last year, a framework agreement was reached to return power to civilians; however, talks to finalize the details have failed.
5 – What can happen now?
If the fighting continues, this situation could further fragment the country and worsen the political turmoil.
Diplomats, who have played a crucial role in trying to urge the return of civilian rule, will be desperate to find a way to get the two generals to establish a dialogue.
Regional leaders agreed on Sunday that three African leaders – the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti – would travel to Khartoum to try to move forward with a ceasefire and peace talks, but with Sudan’s international airport closed it is unclear when. the trip would take place.
Meanwhile, it will be the Sudanese who will have to live through another period of uncertainty.
A human rights activist told the BBC from the Sudanese capital that people in Khartoum have been left without water and food, after three days of fighting that have left the city without power and its shops. closed.
image source, Getty Images
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