Sudan’s Army Regains Control of Presidential Palace After Two Years

The Sudanese army has regained control of the presidential palace after two years of RSF occupation. In a significant military advancement, the army also took key ministries in Khartoum. Despite these gains, the RSF remains active, and the humanitarian situation in Sudan worsens as more than 10 million people are displaced.

The Sudanese army has regained control of the presidential palace in Khartoum, which was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) two years ago. Government forces announced the palace’s reclamation following their advance towards the building located along the Blue Nile, with confirmation made public on Friday.

Khaled al-Aiser, Sudan’s information minister, celebrated this victory on social media, stating, “Today the flag is raised, the palace is back and the journey continues until victory is complete.” Footage from the scene depicted enthusiastic armed troops celebrating within the palace grounds.

The RSF had taken the palace and considerable portions of Khartoum in April 2023, instigating an armed conflict with the national army. This escalation forced the national government, led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to relocate to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast.

The palace complex includes two structures: the historic Ottoman-Egyptian republican palace, erected in 1825, and a larger building commissioned in 2015 by former president Omar al-Bashir. The older structure holds historical significance; it was the site of the infamous assassination of British officer Charles Gordon in 1885, which ended Ottoman-Egyptian sovereignty in Sudan. Both buildings sustained damage during the initial stages of the conflict two years prior.

On Friday, alongside the palace’s reclamation, the Sudanese army also asserted its control over various ministries and other critical infrastructures in central Khartoum. An anonymous army source reported that an RSF drone attack targeting the palace resulted in the deaths of three state television journalists who were covering the developments.

The RSF has asserted its presence near the palace, indicating that the confrontation remains ongoing. The army has made notable territorial gains over recent months, reclaiming significant areas from the RSF. Yet, the RSF has fortified its hold on the western Darfur region, where it stands accused of genocide against non-Arab groups, as highlighted by a report from the Raoul Wallenberg Centre.

The United States has also leveled genocide accusations against the RSF, implementing sanctions against its chief, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), while similar measures have been imposed on Burhan. Recent reports indicate that RSF leaders have convened in Kenya to announce the formation of a parallel government, purportedly receiving support from the United Arab Emirates. This development raises concerns regarding the potential division of Sudan into multiple factions, akin to the situation in Libya.

The ongoing two-year conflict has caused the displacement of over 10 million individuals and left over 12 million suffering extreme levels of food insecurity, resulting in thousands of deaths.

In summary, the Sudanese army’s retaking of the presidential palace signifies a significant shift in the ongoing conflict with the RSF. Despite this victory, the RSF maintains a strong hold in Darfur, and serious allegations of genocide persist. The conflict continues to displace millions, highlighting the urgent humanitarian crisis in the nation. Furthermore, the formation of a parallel government by the RSF could lead to further fragmentation of Sudan.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net