Behind the latest clashes is a struggle for power between the country’s de facto leader and a warlord, as well as the complex constellations of political parties, militias, rebel leaders and foreign powers allied to them
The warning signs of an impending crisis were not hard to read. For months tensions had been building between the two most powerful figures in Sudan’s military government: General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s de facto leader since a coup in 2019; and Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo , a warlord. He is the leader of the Rapid Support Forces , a paramilitary unit that grew out of the Janjaweed militias accused of genocidal acts of murder and rape in Darfur.
Behind the latest clashes is a struggle for power between General Burhan and Mr Dagalo, and between the complex constellations of political parties, militias, rebel leaders and foreign powers allied to them. This is a fight over who will control the direction of Sudan’s political transition, which began four years ago with the overthrow of the brutal Islamist regime led by the former dictator, Omar al-Bashir.
In December, leaders of the civilian bloc and the junta signed a provisional accord promising a fully civilian government and elections in two years. If implemented, it would help Sudan’s collapsing economy by opening the door to foreign aid and debt relief. But it would also mean the integration of the, and the creation of a single national army under civilian oversight. A final agreement was due to be signed in early April.
Islamists within the army may therefore have decided to launch a quick strike in order to “reassert Islamist control over the transition and the country”, argues Mr Horner. In recent months both sides have steadily built up their forces and reinforced their positions in the capital and other strategic places. Tanks were spotted moving over the Nile in Khartoum. General Burhan and Mr Dagalo were said to be no longer on speaking terms in the days before the start of the fighting.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sudan fighting: Plea to government to bring woman back to the UKRita El-Gazali, from Bournemouth, flew to Khartoum to visit her sick and elderly father.
Read more »
Sudan clashes continue despite ceasefire: Here's what's happening on the groundFierce fighting has been taking place across Sudan since 15 April after tensions between the Sudanese Army and RSF paramilitary force boiled over.
Read more »
Over 10,000 people flee Sudan as ceasefire attempts failMore than ten thousand people have fled across the Sudanese border into Chad, as fierce fighting continues between government and paramilitary forces battling for control of the country. paraicobrien – Paraic O’Brien reports.
Read more »
Foreign nationals to be evacuated from Sudan - armyNationals from the US, UK, France and China are to be evacuated as fighting in Sudan enters second week.
Read more »
UK nationals set to be evacuated from Sudan by British troops🔴 British nationals are being evacuated from war-torn Sudan where deadly clashes have left hundreds dead
Read more »