The Sudanese army has taken full control of Khartoum’s Presidential Palace amid a two-year conflict with the RSF, which poses a significant humanitarian crisis. The situation escalated after the RSF captured the capital in April 2023, and both factions have made accusations against each other, denying war crimes while continuing hostilities. Peace talks remain absent, and both groups are entrenched in their military positions.
On Friday, the Sudanese army claimed full control of the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing conflict that has persisted for two years. According to Sudan state television and military sources, the army is conducting operations to locate members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the vicinity. Witnesses have reported hearing intermittent gunfire in central Khartoum, although RSF representatives were unavailable for immediate comment.
The conflict in Sudan has escalated to what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, resulting in widespread famine and disease. Both the Sudanese army and RSF face allegations of war crimes, with the RSF also facing genocide charges, which both parties deny. The RSF initially captured the palace and much of Khartoum when the war commenced in April 2023, however, the Sudan armed forces have recently made gains toward reclaiming territory along the River Nile.
Despite holding parts of Khartoum and the nearby city of Omdurman, the RSF continues to contest control over western regions, specifically aiming to seize the army’s last stronghold in Darfur, namely al-Fashir. The takeover of the capital could expedite a broader military consolidation by the Sudanese army and reinforce the geographical divide between the two factions. Both sides remain steadfast in their intentions to continue fighting, with no peace negotiations currently underway.
The ongoing war arose from a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which coincided with a planned shift towards civilian governance. The situation remains dire and continues to evolve as both factions commit to further military engagements.
The recent seizure of the Presidential Palace by the Sudanese army represents a crucial turn in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. With severe humanitarian repercussions and allegations of war crimes against both sides, the situation complicates efforts for peace. The power struggle between the army and the RSF underscores the need for urgent international attention and intervention as both parties vow to persist in their military endeavors without apparent resolution in sight.
Original Source: ntvkenya.co.ke
