Clashes between the Sudanese military and paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for control of the nation ensued for a second day on Sunday, April 16, 2023. The fighting begun the previous day, Saturday, April 15, 2023.
Heavy fighting involving armored vehicles, truck-mounted machine guns and war planes raged in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, the adjoining city of Omdurman and in flashpoints across the country. The rival forces are believed to have tens of thousands of fighters each in the capital alone.
At least five civilians were killed and 78 wounded on Sunday, bringing the two-day toll to 61 dead and more than 670 wounded, the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate disclosed. The group asserted that it believes there were dozens of additional deaths among the rival forces.
The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, the Commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the Head of the Rapid Support Forces group. The two Generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated the October 2021 military coup.
In recent months, internationally backed negotiations revived hopes for a transition to civilian government. In order to facilitate a proposed transition to civilian rule, there was a plan to start integrating the RSF into the army.
However, a misunderstanding between Gen. Dagolo and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, over the timetable for the change and who would head the new integrated force caused a delay.
In Khartoum and Omdurman, fighting was reported around the military headquarters, Khartoum International Airport and state television headquarters. A senior military official said RSF fighters clashed with troops at military headquarters early Sunday and that a fire broke out at a facility for ground troops.
The military and the RSF both claimed to be in control of strategic locations in Khartoum and elsewhere in the county. Their claims couldn’t be independently verified. The army has ruled out negotiations with the paramilitary group.
International Leaders Urge Both Sides To Cease Fighting
Top diplomats, including the U.S. Secretary of State, the U.N. Secretary-General, the EU foreign policy Chief, the Head of the Arab League and the Head of the African Union Commission have urged the sides to stop fighting.
Members of the U.N. Security Council, at odds over other crises around the world, called for an immediate end of the hostilities and a return to dialogue.
Arab states with stakes in Sudan; Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, made similar pleas.
U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken disclosed that he consulted with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. “We agreed it was essential for the parties to immediately end hostilities without pre-condition,” he noted in a statement early Sunday.
In remarks to the public in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said he was following “with worry” the events happening in Sudan.
“I am close to the Sudanese people … and I invite prayers so that arms are laid down and dialogue prevails, to resume together the path of peace and harmony.” the Pontiff professed.
Also, the Egyptian presidency declared that Egypt and South Sudan have offered to mediate between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. A statement noted that Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his South Sudan counterpart, Salva Kiir, had spoken by phone.
The two leaders called on both sides in the power struggle to “choose the voice of reason [and] peaceful dialogue”, the statement added.
WFP Temporarily Halts Sudan Operations
Also on Sunday, the World Food Program (WFP) announced that it has temporarily suspended operations in Sudan after three agency employees were killed in clashes and an aircraft used by the WFP was damaged on Saturday, April 15, 2023.
“We cannot do our lifesaving work if the safety and security of our teams and partners is not guaranteed,” Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the agency, averred.
The three WFP employees were killed in clashes in the town of Kebkabiya in the province of North Darfur. Two agency employees were wounded.
The United Nations has condemned the killing of three World Food Programme (WFP) employees, saying the three died while carrying out their duties.
Volker Perthes, the UN’s special representative in Sudan, stated, “Civilians and humanitarian workers are not a target.”
“I also am extremely appalled by reports of projectiles hitting UN and other humanitarian premises, as well as reports of looting of UN and other humanitarian premises in several locations in Darfur. These recurring acts of violence disrupt the delivery of life-saving assistance and must end.”
Volker Perthes
According to the UN, about 16 million people, or one-third of Sudan’s population, require humanitarian assistance.
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