Khartoum Declared Free of RSF Presence

On Tuesday, the Sudanese army made a significant announcement: Khartoum, the nation’s capital, is now “completely free” of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after enduring months of intense skirmishes. With a sense of tangible relief, army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah proclaimed in a recorded statement, “We announce today the full clearing of the entire state of Khartoum from any presence of the Al-Dagalo militia and the purification of our national capital from the stain of the rebels.”

The spokesperson’s words were clear and definitive. “We confirm that the state of Khartoum is completely free of the rebels,” he added, infusing an air of finality to the city’s battered streets.

As assurance to the nation, the army reaffirmed its unwavering pledge to persevere in its operations “until the last inch of our land is cleansed of every rebel.” A tall order, but a necessary one in the quest for peace.

Amidst the celebrations, soldiers jovially shared videos on social media, showcasing army forces entering the Salha area of southern Omdurman. This final RSF bastion in the city had been a thorn in their side. In other video snippets, military personnel displayed seized weaponry, drones, and jamming devices, stark evidence of a hard-fought battle.

The military’s voice of authority resounded once more as the spokesman noted that early on Tuesday, army forces continued “to crush the RSF militia” in the south and west of Omdurman, the city’s twin.

Strangely, the rebel group remained silent on the army’s victorious declaration. Could this be a moment of shock or a strategic pause?

Since the harrowing days of April 2023, the RSF has clashed with the army, vying for supremacy in Sudan. The toll has been grave—thousands dead and a humanitarian crisis that ranks among the worst globally. According to the United Nations and local authorities, over 20,000 individuals have perished, and 15 million find themselves displaced. Yet, intriguing research from U.S. scholars suggests a much steeper death toll, approximating 130,000 lives lost.

These statistics, while sobering, cannot truly capture the human stories underlying each number. One wonders, what stories would the people of Khartoum tell if they had the ear of the world?

The unfolding narrative in Khartoum is a potent reminder of resilience. How does a city heal from such deep scars? Perhaps, as they rebuild, the people hold onto the quiet hope that peace would bless their streets once more.