Sudan Army Chief Proclaims Khartoum Free from Rapid Support Forces

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced Khartoum’s liberation from the RSF following a military campaign. While he proclaimed victory, analysts warn of continued conflict and new RSF alliances. The war has created a devastating humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and prompting international sanctions against both military leaders for war crimes.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s army chief, declared Khartoum, the capital, “free” from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during his visit to the recaptured presidential palace. This statement marks the culmination of a strategic military campaign to regain control over the central government’s institutions, which had been dominated by the RSF amidst nearly two years of conflict. The army claims to have cleared key locations, including the airport, of RSF presence.

Since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between General Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the RSF rapidly established control over the government district, compelling officials to retreat to Port Sudan. Despite the army’s recent advances, analysts caution that the conflict remains ongoing as the RSF has formed a new alliance with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, which could fuel further instability.

Reports confirm that the RSF has begun retreating southward across the White Nile, utilizing the Jebel Awliya bridge as their final exit point, while casualties have mounted significantly since the conflict’s inception. Witness accounts describe scenes of citizens celebrating in central Khartoum as the RSF vacated the occupied quarters, suggesting a shift in public sentiment towards the army’s advances.

As the conflict has escalated, it has resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences, displacing over 12 million individuals and triggering widespread hunger crises. The war has disproportionately affected civilians, with rights groups documenting numerous abuses by both the RSF and army-affiliated factions. The United States has enacted sanctions against both leaders, emphasizing serious allegations of war crimes and humanitarian violations.

Amidst the chaos, the United Nations has raised concerns regarding the dire attacks on civilians, characterizing the situation as alarming and inhumane. Violent engagements continue to endanger lives, revealing a troubling pattern of vengeance from the RSF and complicity from the army in targeting perceived enemies.

In summary, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s declaration of Khartoum as “free” from RSF control represents a significant military achievement in the ongoing conflict. Nonetheless, the situation remains precarious, with the RSF forming alliances and committing further violence. The humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels, necessitating urgent international awareness and intervention to address the plight of civilians.

Original Source: www.sanfordherald.com