Sudan’s civil war appears to be reaching a critical juncture after nearly two years of fighting, with the military making steady advances against its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes, sparking widespread famine.
The military gained control of Khartoum’s iconic Republican Palace, traditionally the seat of the country’s president and government, but a politician associated with the RSF acknowledged the loss. The RSF denied any losses, claiming its troops were still in the area fighting.
The war is unlikely to end soon, as the military victory may create a de facto partition of Sudan into military- and RSF-run zones. Military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan has shown no sign of engaging in serious peace talks, while the RSF has vowed to continue fighting.
The RSF still holds much of western Sudan, particularly the Darfur region. The military’s coalition is also facing strains, as it has been backed by armed factions that are historic rivals united only by their goal of fighting the RSF.
The RSF recently created a “parallel government” with its allies, signing a charter in February. This move raises the potential for two rival administrations jockeying for support as their forces battle, entrenching Sudan’s effective partition. The RSF has been accused of numerous atrocities, including genocide, but denies these claims.
The military and RSF have both denied committing abuses, despite widespread allegations. The Biden administration has slapped Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo with sanctions over the RSF’s alleged human rights abuses.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/sudan-rsf-military-army-khartoum-war-darfur-fc7e20cd53208233cdddc09c80be6491