Sudan’s military has recaptured the Republican Palace in Khartoum from rival paramilitary forces after nearly two years of conflict. Despite this significant victory, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with thousands killed and millions displaced. The ongoing struggle reflects the broader instabilities in Sudan’s politics following previous coups and uprisings.
The Sudanese military has announced the recapture of the Republican Palace in Khartoum, marking a significant victory over the rival paramilitary forces after nearly two years of conflict. Videos on social media featured military personnel celebrating within the palace, declaring the event coincided with the 21st day of Ramadan. This area had been heavily damaged, with soldiers rejoicing as they navigated broken tiles and debris.
Khaled al-Aiser, Sudan’s information minister, confirmed the recovery of the palace via the social platform X, stating, “Today the flag is raised, the palace is back and the journey continues until victory is complete.” The recovery signifies a tactical gain for the Sudanese military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, who has been engaged in consistent offensives since the onset of the conflict in April 2023, resulting in the expulsion of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from Khartoum.
Despite the loss of the Republican Palace, the RSF has not openly confirmed this setback. The group continues to exert control over various city areas, including recent claims of acquiring al-Maliha, a city in North Darfur. The Sudanese military acknowledged ongoing clashes around al-Maliha but denied any loss of the city itself, which lies about 125 miles from El Fasher, still held by military forces.
The humanitarian impact of this ongoing conflict has been catastrophic, with over 28,000 casualties reported, millions displaced, and instances of families resorting to desperate measures like eating grass to survive amid widespread famine. Analysts caution that this figure may significantly underrepresent the true toll of the fighting.
Historically, the Republican Palace has been central to Sudan’s governance since British colonial times. Over the years, it has symbolized power and was even the setting for Sudan’s independence celebrations. Since the conflict’s escalation, the military has consistently targeted the palace, engaging in shelling and direct assaults.
Sudan has faced political instability since 2019 when a popular uprising ousted former President Omar al-Bashir. The subsequent attempt at a democratic transition was thwarted by a military coup in 2021, instigated by Burhan and Dagalo, leading to violent confrontations between their forces in 2023. Allegations of human rights abuses have emerged against both factions involved in the conflict, with serious accusations regarding genocidal acts by the RSF connected to past campaigns in Darfur.
The recent recapture of the Republican Palace by Sudan’s military highlights a key development in the ongoing conflict with the RSF. Despite this victory, the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with massive civilian casualties and instabilities affecting millions. The history and significance of the palace underscore the gravity of the conflict, which has roots in Sudan’s troubled political landscape following the ousting of Omar al-Bashir. Both sides remain accused of human rights violations as the struggle for power continues.
Original Source: apnews.com
