Sudan: This Week’s News in Brief
In a week filled with significant developments, Sudan’s news landscape has been busy. Here’s a roundup of the most critical updates from across the country.
Negotiations between Sudan Army and RSF
In a promising development, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have expressed their willingness to return to the negotiation table without conditions. The announcement comes as a part of ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict that has gripped the nation. This initiative is expected to take place against the backdrop of the Civil Democratic Forces alliance’s founding conference in Addis Ababa late this month.
Human Rights Watch Labels RSF Actions as ‘Genocide’
A report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) sheds light on the atrocities committed by the RSF in West Darfur. According to the findings, the systematic targeting of non-Arab Masalit people by the RSF and allied militias could amount to genocide, given the apparent intent to permanently displace or destroy the Masalit community.
Renewed Conflict in El Fasher
A brief hiatus in the fighting in North Darfur’s capital, El Fasher, gave way to further airstrikes on the city outskirts, signaling ongoing tensions and violence in the region.
US Sanctions on RSF Commanders
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions against two RSF commanders involved in attacks within North Darfur and beyond, aiming to hold them accountable for their roles in the violence.
Warnings of a Large-Scale Massacre in Darfur
The US Ambassador to the United Nations has issued a stark warning about the potential for a large-scale massacre in North Darfur, specifically mentioning the precarious situation in El Fasher.
London Youth Protest over Sudan Media Coverage
A youth-led protest in London has highlighted the perceived lack of media attention to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, calling for greater international focus on the crisis.
Tragedy Strikes with Child Fatalities From Malnutrition
In South Darfur, the grievous impact of the conflict on the youngest has been underscored by the deaths of six children from malnutrition, with nearly a hundred more suffering severe malnutrition across displacement camps.
Destruction of Historic Khartoum Palace
An airstrike attributed to the SAF has resulted in the partial destruction of Khartoum’s historic Republican Palace, amidst other violent incidents across the country including in North Kordofan and near a pediatric hospital in El Fasher.
Continued Detentions and Killings of Activists
Recent reports have indicated an escalation in the unlawful detentions and extrajudicial killings of activists across Sudan, signaling a concerning trend of human rights abuses amid the conflict.
Sudanese Pound’s Rapid Decline
The economic situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with the Sudanese Pound facing a swift decline against foreign currencies, leading to predictions of a banking collapse.
Control Over Mount Kordofan Disputed
Both the SAF and the RSF have claimed control over the strategic Mount Kordofan area following violent clashes, marking an ongoing struggle for territorial dominance.
Civilian Casualties in North Kordofan
Military operations have continued in North Kordofan, resulting in civilian casualties and highlighting the continuing risk to non-combatants in the conflict zones.
As Sudan grapples with internal conflict, the international community remains concerned about the humanitarian and political implications of ongoing violence. With negotiations on the horizon and increased attention from global actors, there is hope for a resolution that could bring peace to the region.
