Sudan is experiencing a severe conflict between its army and the RSF, rooted in a long history of coups and civil wars. Key historical episodes include the rise and fall of leaders like Jaafar Nimeiri and Omar al-Bashir, international incidents involving bin Laden, and ongoing struggles following the fall of Bashir. The situation continues to escalate, with profound humanitarian consequences unfolding in 2024.
Sudan has endured extensive turmoil characterized by wars and military coups. Presently, the country grapples with a two-year conflict between its army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recent advancements include the army’s assertion of full control over the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, presenting a significant achievement in their struggle against the RSF.
A timeline of significant historical events reveals the profound instability in Sudan: 1985 marked the ousting of President Jaafar Nimeiri, initiated by a popular uprising. This led to a brief period of civilian governance following 1986 elections. In 1989, another coup led by General Omar al-Bashir established his 30-year rule, initially supported by Islamist leaders, including Hassan al-Turabi, who later opposed him.
In 1996, international pressures propelled the Sudanese government to expel Osama bin Laden, who had resided in Sudan for five years. Two years later, in 1998, the U.S. targeted a Khartoum facility, accusing it of producing chemical weapon ingredients linked to bin Laden while Sudan maintained it was a pharmaceutical plant.
The Darfur conflict erupted in 2003, involving government forces and the notorious Janjaweed militia, leading to over 300,000 deaths and millions displaced. In 2005, a peace agreement ended decades of civil war, resulting in South Sudan’s independence in 2011.
The political climate continued to shift when Bashir was overthrown in 2019 following public dissent, sparking tensions between military and civilian leaders regarding democratization. Recent hostilities erupted in April 2023, between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s army and the RSF led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, igniting a severe humanitarian crisis by 2024, with famine risks extending across multiple regions of Sudan.
Sudan’s history is marked by repeated cycles of military coups, civil wars, and political unrest. Each significant event has left a lasting impact, contributing to ongoing instability, as seen in the recent conflicts involving the SAF and RSF. The humanitarian implications of this prolonged instability underscore the urgency for a resolution to the ongoing crisis.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
