Conflict in Sudan: A Struggle for Control

Violence has once again swept through the streets of Sudan, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. In Omdurman, a city that shares the banks of the Nile with Sudan’s capital Khartoum, at least a hundred souls have been tragically claimed in a series of brutal attacks. These assaults, attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have painted a bleak picture of the region. As of Tuesday, local medics and the informed Sudan Doctors Network released information highlighting the egregious loss of life, primarily in the Jama’iya region, which sits south of the bustling city of Omdurman.

But what exactly sparked this deadly week? Apprehension looms heavily, yet neither the Sudanese army nor the RSF has provided an official comment on the reported casualties. Silence often speaks volumes, as the violins of diplomacy play to a crowded room yet no one listens.

Meanwhile, there have been movements on the tactical chessboard. On Tuesday, the Sudanese army, with resolute determination, made advancements in western Omdurman, successfully regaining control over specific regions. A confidant from the military relayed to Anadolu Agency that the army has now asserted control over the residential Al-Safwah Complex and a local marketplace in Ombadda, effectively ousting RSF forces. Their stride didn’t halt there; they also took charge of a military camp in western Omdurman, as confirmed by the vigilant Karari Resistance Committee.

Amidst this conflict, activists turned to social media to share glimpses of the army claiming back territory, serving as both evidence and a beacon of hope to many. Ironically, the RSF, this time, neither issued a statement nor countered the army’s strides, leaving the global audience questioning the silence.

Reflect on the origins of this conflict: The war between the army and the RSF, a skirmish that erupted in April 2023, has wreaked havoc, shattering lives and displacing millions. The United Nations and local authorities estimate over 20,000 fatalities, yet a study by US scholars posits the sobering toll may be closer to 130,000 deaths.

In recent developments, the RSF has seen its dominion diminish rapidly within Sudan. The army’s victories have mounted, gaining own rotational momentum, notably in Khartoum where they conquered critical infrastructures: the presidential palace, ministry headquarters, and the airport, among others. It’s as though the tide began to turn two years after the initial outbreak of warfare.

Looking at the bigger picture, the RSF now only clings to sparse remnants across Sudan’s vast landscape. They maintain a modicum of control in North and West Kordofan, small portions in South Kordofan, along the Blue Nile, and primarily across four states in Darfur’s western expanse. The army, however, retains domains including the strategic capital of North Darfur, Al-Fashir, which stands as a notable stronghold.

Where will this trail of conquest and loss take the once unified Sudan? As the world watches, perhaps recalling Albert Einstein’s poignant quote: “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” How long must the people of Sudan wait for such an understanding to grace their land?