Sudanese Army Gains Control of Presidential Palace Amidst Ongoing Conflict
The Sudanese army has taken control of the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, marking a significant advance in the ongoing conflict against the Rapid Support Forces. This development occurs amidst a humanitarian crisis, with both factions accused of serious violations. Efforts toward peace negotiations remain stagnant as both sides continue their fight for territorial dominance.
On Friday, the Sudanese military announced it had gained full control of the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, marking a pivotal development in the ongoing conflict that has lasted two years and is destabilizing the nation. State television and military officials reported that troops are actively searching nearby areas for members of the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Witnesses observed intermittent gunfire in central Khartoum, indicative of the conflict still raging in the populace.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has been labeled by the United Nations as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, leading to famine and disease across various regions. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF have faced accusations of war crimes and other serious human rights violations, which they have subsequently denied. The RSF swiftly captured the palace and much of the capital at the war’s inception in April 2023, but recent months have seen a resurgence of the Sudanese military, gaining ground toward the palace along the River Nile.
Although the RSF currently retains control over portions of Khartoum and its neighboring Omdurman, as well as parts of western Sudan, it is engaged in ongoing combat to claim the last army stronghold in Darfur, specifically in al-Fashir. A potential capture of Khartoum by the army could solidify central Sudan’s division between the two factions and push forward the territorial ambitions of both sides. Hence, both the military and RSF remain committed to continuing the conflict, with no progress reported in peace negotiations.
The war initiated due to a power struggle between Sudan’s military and the RSF was supposed to lead to a transition toward civilian governance. However, this transition has been severely hampered by the ongoing hostilities and territorial disputes, further complicating any potential resolutions beyond the current scope of struggle.
In summary, the seizure of the Presidential Palace by the Sudanese army represents a significant shift in the two-year conflict with the Rapid Support Forces. The accompanying humanitarian crisis has drawn global attention, exacerbated by allegations of war crimes on both sides. As the military strategy unfolds, the continued combat intensifies the power struggle, making the prospect of peace increasingly uncertain for the war-torn nation of Sudan.
Original Source: ntvkenya.co.ke
