The Guardian

How Sudan collapsed: a year of war

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Sudan has been torn apart by war between regular forces and rival militias, leaving thousands dead and another 8.5 million displaced.

The main developments in the fighting that brought the country of 48 million people to the brink of starvation include:

– April 2023: Battle breaks out –
On April 15, 2023, war broke out between Sudan's de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's regular army and former vice president Mohamed Hamdan Daglo's Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The explosion shook the capital Khartoum.

Tensions between the two men behind the 2021 coup that ousted powerful leader Omar al-Bashir have been rising for weeks.

The fighting occurred after an agreement on a return to civilian rule collapsed amid wrangling over how to integrate the RSF into the regular army.

RSF quickly took control of Khartoum airport, the presidential palace, and other major strongholds.

Fighting has also broken out in the western region of Darfur, which began in 2003 when Arab militias known as the Janjaweed (later known as the RSF) were sent from Khartoum to quell an uprising by non-Arab minorities. The effects of the large-scale conflict that began in 2013 continue to this day.

Foreign countries are rushing to evacuate their nationals from Sudan.

The United States and Saudi Arabia negotiate a 72-hour cease-fire, but it is quickly violated, as is a series of further cease-fire agreements.

– May: Negotiations break down –
In May, the military and RSF participate in ceasefire negotiations brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah.

However, the military accused the RSF of not honoring the ceasefire agreement and withdrew on May 31.

Its forces shelled militia positions in Khartoum.

– June: US sanctions –
On June 1, the United States announced sanctions on companies associated with both the military and paramilitary groups, as well as visa restrictions for officials from both parties.

The militia claims to have captured the country's most important military installation in Khartoum.

In mid-June, one of the war's most notable casualties was the governor of West Darfur state, Khamis Abdullah Abakar. He was captured and assassinated after criticizing the RSF in an interview with a Saudi television channel.

– July: War crimes investigation –
The International Criminal Court launches an investigation into alleged war crimes, including alleged sexual and gender-based crimes, in Sudan.

In mid-August, the war spread to two new cities: El Fasher in North Darfur and El Fura in West Kordofan.

The United Nations has announced that hunger is widespread across Sudan.

– September: Unrest in Port Sudan –
In September, the military and tribal militias clashed in the strategic Red Sea city of Port Sudan, where the government loyal to the military has taken refuge.

Peace talks led by the United States and Saudi Arabia will resume in Jeddah on October 26, but no ceasefire has been agreed.

– December: Militia interests –
Militia groups took control of central Al-Jazeera province, which had previously been a relatively safe haven.

Sudan has expelled diplomats from the United Arab Emirates over accusations that the wealthy Gulf state is providing military aid to the RSF.

– January: Sudan leaves the region –
Sudan withdrew from the East African Union IGAD in January after Burhan's rival, militia leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, was invited to a rally.

According to UN figures, nearly 8 million people have been forced from their homes by the war, with more than 1.5 million taking refuge in Chad and other neighboring countries.

~February: Agreement to hold discussions~
The parties to the conflict agree to meet for consultations to enable the provision of much-needed assistance.

The United States has said it hopes negotiations can take place after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ended earlier this week.

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Source: guardian.ng

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