The violence that has erupted in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan is directly attributable to a vicious power struggle within the country’s military leadership.
The fighting is between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force.
Where is Sudan located?
Sudan is located in north-eastern Africa and is one of the continent’s largest countries, encompassing 1,9 million square kilometers.
It is also one of the poorest countries in the globe, with an average annual per capita income of $750 (£606) for its 46 million inhabitants.
The majority of the population of Sudan is Muslim, and Arabic and English are the country’s official languages.
Who battles whom in Sudan?
Since the revolution of 2021, Sudan has been governed by a council of generals headed by the two military men at the center of this dispute.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the armed forces and de facto the country’s president, is currently in charge.
His deputy and RSF leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.
They disagree on the country’s future course and the proposed transition to civilian rule.
Plans to incorporate the 100,000-strong RSF into the army and who would command the new force are the primary sticking points.
Why has violence begun in Sudan now?
The violence follows days of tension caused by the army-perceived threat posed by the RSF’s redeployment across the country last week.
There had been some optimism that negotiations could help resolve the situation, but they never occurred.
It is unclear who discharged the first shot on Saturday morning, but according to a Sudanese doctors’ union, fighting has escalated across the country, resulting in the deaths of nearly 100 civilians.
Why have civilians become entangled?
Even though the conflict appears to revolve around the control of critical installations, the majority of the fighting is occurring in urban areas, with civilians becoming unwitting victims.
It is unclear where precisely the RSF bases are located, but it appears that their fighters have moved into densely populated areas.
The Sudanese air force has undoubtedly caused civilian casualties by conducting air strikes in the capital, a city of more than six million people.
Both sides agreed to a brief pause in the fighting on Sunday to enable civilians to flee the conflict.
What do Rapid Support Forces consist of?
The RSF was founded in 2013 and has its roots in the notorious Janjaweed militia, which was accused of ethnic cleansing in Darfur while fighting rebels mercilessly.
Since then, General Dagalo has amassed a formidable force that has intervened in Yemen and Libyan conflicts. He has also developed economic interests, including the control of several gold mines in Sudan.
The RSF has been accused of human rights violations, including the June 2019 massacre of over 120 demonstrators.
Such a powerful force outside of the military is viewed as a source of instability in the country.
Why does the military govern Sudan?
After President Omar al-Bashir’s 2019 fall, this is the latest conflict.
Massive street demonstrations demanded an end to his near-three-decade rule, and the army staged a coup to remove him.
However, civilians continued to advocate for the restoration of democratic rule.
In October 2021, Gen. Burham overthrew the military-civilian administration in a second coup.
Since then, his rivalry with General Dagalo has intensified.
Last December, a framework agreement to return power to civilians was reached, but discussions to finalize the details have failed.
What do both parties want?
Gen Dagalo has stated that the rebellion of 2021 was a mistake and has attempted to portray himself and the RSF as being on the side of the people as opposed to the elites of Khartoum.
Given the ruthless history of the paramilitary force, others find it difficult to accept this message, despite his support.
In the meantime, General Burhan has stated that the military will only entirely transfer power to an elected government, further marginalizing the civilian representatives who were anticipated to be a part of a power-sharing agreement.
However, military leaders and their allies may fear for their riches and influence if they lose power.
What actions are other nations taking?
There are concerns that the conflict could further fragment the country, exacerbate political unrest, and entice neighboring states to intervene.
Diplomats, who have pushed for civilian government, are desperately trying to get the generals to talk.
A regional bloc has agreed to dispatch the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan, and Djibouti to Khartoum, but it is uncertain whether they will be able to make the journey because no planes are entering or leaving the country.
The UK, US, and EU have called for a ceasefire and discussions to end the issue.
