Sudan is passing through difficult times as fighting between two strong competing military factions threatens a national civil war. At least 420 people have died in the fierce violence in Sudan so far, while more than 3700 people have been injured. The clashes followed weeks of heightened tensions between the Rapid Support Force (RSF), a paramilitary group led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagallo, known as Hemedti, and forces led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Also known. The two generals disagree on the proposed transition to civilian rule in Sudan.
Origin of the Sudan conflict
The long-running conflict began in April 2019, when generals deposed Sudan’s longtime authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir following a nationwide uprising. Despite Bashir’s coup, civilians remained steadfast in their opposition, demanding free elections and the establishment of a civilian government. Four months later, an agreement was reached between the army and the protesters, resulting in the decision to create the Sovereignty Council, a body with a mix of military and civilian officials that would oversee elections in Sudan by the end of 2023. Abdullah Hamdok was appointed prime minister for the transitional period, and he assumed office in August of that year.
However, the new arrangement was only temporary as Burhan took over as the de facto head of state in October 2021 after Hamdok’s administration was ousted. Second in command. Burhan announced that the military would remain in charge until the July 2023 elections.
Clash between two groups: Army vs Rapid Support Force (RSF)
Relations between the army and the RSF, which was founded in 2013 and which has been accused of human rights violations including the killing of more than 120 protesters in June 2019, deteriorated soon after the 2021 coup.
Burhan and Dagalo disagree on how the 10,000-strong RSF should be integrated into the army, and which authority should oversee that process. Furthermore, Dagalo wanted to delay the unification for 10 years, but the army said it would happen in the next two years.
The Army saw the recent redeployment of the RSF across the country as a provocation and a threat. On April 15, two groups fought fiercely due to tension.
Sudan crisis: evacuation of foreign nationals
The outbreak of violence has prompted foreign governments to monitor the situation in Sudan and various countries have launched rescue operations by land, air and sea to bring trapped civilians to safety. To evacuate staff from their respective embassies in Khartoum, the US and UK sent military aircraft and troops. Saudi Arabia and France have successfully led the evacuation of over 150 people of various nationalities, including Indians.
Around 3,000 Indians are feared to be stranded in Sudan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to look into the situation. New Delhi has launched a plan to repatriate Indian nationals from conflict zones in Sudan.
Consequences of the Sudan conflict
Since the coup in 2021, several pro-democracy demonstrations have taken place in Africa’s third largest country. But the conflict between the army and the RSF has perhaps made Sudan’s democratic transition more challenging. Some experts fear the feud could escalate into a wider conflict that could lead to the collapse of the country.