Sudanese Military Retakes Presidential Palace from Paramilitary Forces
The Sudanese military has regained control of the presidential palace in Khartoum, marking a significant victory against the paramilitary RSF after nearly two years of conflict. The palace’s fall expels RSF forces from the capital, though fighting persists in other regions. The conflict has resulted in more than 28,000 deaths and a humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
On Friday, the Sudanese military announced it has regained complete control of the presidential palace in Khartoum, previously held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This advance is deemed a significant development in a two-year conflict that threatens the nation’s unity. The Republican Palace, which had served as the last stronghold for the RSF in the capital, was reportedly seized after nearly two years of intense fighting.
Evidence from social media indicated that soldiers celebrated the takeover as it coincided with the 21st day of Ramadan. A military officer confirmed the control in a recorded video, showcasing the conditions inside the compound, which appeared damaged, with soldiers navigating through broken tiles. Military personnel armed with heavy weaponry celebrated their victory by chanting, “God is the greatest!”
The fall of the Republican Palace, located along the Nile River and historically significant as the seat of government, represents another strategic win for the Sudanese military under the command of General Abdel-Fattah Burhan. This development expels the RSF forces, led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, from Khartoum, following the escalation of conflict that initiated in April 2023.
The RSF has not acknowledged their retreat, but this loss is unlikely to curtail the ongoing fighting, as they maintain control over other territories in Sudan. The UN children’s agency has signaled that the conflict has generated the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 28,000 fatalities and millions displaced. Many are resorting to desperate measures, such as consuming grass, to survive as famine spreads across the region.
Historically, the Republican Palace has been a symbol of national governance since the colonial period, hosting crucial events in Sudan’s past. It has experienced numerous conflicts since the fall of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, leading to a failed transition to democracy due to a military coup by Burhan and Dagalo in 2021.
Since the onset of the conflict in 2023, Burhan’s forces, comprising the military and allied groups, have made significant territorial gains against the RSF. Recent battles saw the military reclaiming a key refinery north of Khartoum and intensifying their operations within the capital. Tragically, these confrontations have resulted in increasing civilian casualties.
Al-Bashir, currently facing charges at the International Criminal Court for genocidal actions in Darfur, has a precedent for such atrocities linked to the RSF and associated groups. Human rights organizations and the UN have accused the RSF of targeting ethnic African communities during this new conflict, while both the military and the RSF face accusations of human rights violations. Despite these allegations, both factions deny any wrongdoing.
In conclusion, the Sudanese military’s recapture of the Republican Palace signifies a critical shift in the ongoing conflict with the RSF. While this control may represent a tactical victory, the broader humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with tens of thousands already perishing and millions displaced. With allegations of human rights abuses surfacing against both combatants, the situation remains dire, necessitating urgent attention and intervention.
Original Source: www.france24.com
