Sudan’s army is close to taking control of the Presidential Palace in Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), state TV reported on Thursday, as a two-year-old conflict escalates.
The RSF initially took the palace and most of the capital in April 2023 but has since been pushed back by the Sudanese Armed Forces. The RSF has established a parallel government in some areas and is fighting to control parts of western Sudan.
A takeover of the capital could lead to the army’s full control over central Sudan, further dividing the country along east-west lines. Both sides have vowed to continue fighting, despite no progress in peace talks.
The conflict has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, causing famine and disease across the country. The UN has accused both sides of war crimes, while the RSF has been charged with genocide, which they deny.
Recent airstrikes and drone attacks by the army targeted central Khartoum, with eyewitnesses reporting clashes between the two forces in southern Khartoum. The army’s advance has been welcomed by many displaced people, who had suffered under the RSF’s alleged looting and killings.
Despite some progress, concerns remain about soldier behavior, with activists warning of robbery and other abuses. The military has denied these allegations, but hundreds of thousands of people have returned to their homes in Central Sudan.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/20/africa/sudan-army-close-to-reclaim-presidential-palace-intl/index.html