Sudan death toll nears 100: A Closer Look at the Army-Paramilitary Dispute
Written by Sanjay Kumar
The Doctors Union in Sudan reported to The Washington Post that the clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have caused 97 casualties. The violence has resulted in the deaths of nearly 100 civilians and the injuries of almost 600 others, as of early Monday (April 17).
On Monday morning, the Central Committee of Sudan Doctors stated that a hospital in the southern part of the capital was hit by stray artillery, causing “a state of terror and panic.” Fortunately, patients and staff were unharmed. Eyewitnesses in Khartoum reported to CNN that the fighting escalated after Sunday morning prayers, with loud noises and explosions heard throughout the night. There have also been reports of clashes in the eastern city of Port Sudan, which is located hundreds of miles away.
Sudan
Country in North Africa
- Capital: Khartoum
- Currency: Sudanese pound
- Gross domestic product: 3,432.61 crores USD (2021) World Bank
- Population: 4.57 crores (2021) World Bank
- Government: Authoritarianism, Representative democracy, Presidential system, Federal republic, One-party state
- Official languages: Arabic, English
Why are Army and Paramilitary Forces Engaged in Conflict? Exploring the Reasons Behind Military Confrontation
According to a report by the news agency Reuters, violent clashes broke out on Saturday in Sudan. The conflict had been brewing for weeks due to power struggles between two army units. One unit was loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s transitional governing Sovereign Council. The other unit was the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who is the deputy head of the council.
This was the first major outbreak of violence since both army units worked together to overthrow Sudan’s former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The conflict was sparked by a disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the military. According to Al Jazeera, this integration is meant to be part of a transition toward civilian rule.
The proposed integration of the RSF into the military has caused a delay in the signing of an internationally supported agreement with political parties. This agreement aims to facilitate a peaceful transition to democracy in Sudan.
Both Burhan and Hemedti have accused each other of instigating the violent conflict that erupted on Saturday.
An international uproar and regional anxiety were triggered by the intense clashes, leading neighboring countries Egypt and Chad to close their borders. The United States, Russia, China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UN Security Council, the European Union, and the African Union have all called for a swift resolution to the conflict. The clashes have the potential to worsen instability in an already volatile region.
What Happens Next
The armed forces of Sudan have stated that they will not engage in negotiations with the RSF unless the force is dissolved. In an attempt to weaken the RSF’s ranks, the army has ordered soldiers temporarily working with the RSF to report to nearby army units.
Hemedti, the deputy head of state and leader of the RSF, referred to military chief Burhan as a “criminal” and a “liar”.
To prevent propaganda broadcasts by the RSF, state television ceased transmission on Sunday afternoon. The RSF had entered the main state broadcaster building in Omdurman and began airing pro-RSF programming.
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