Clashes intensified Tuesday on the outskirts of Sudan’s capital as the army initiated a “large-scale” offensive aimed at dislodging the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from their remaining positions in eastern Omdurman.
Explosions were heard in the area, where the RSF still holds ground despite losing control of the capital, Khartoum, earlier in the conflict.
The army announced that its push began on Monday to reclaim these holdouts, an area also grappling with a deadly cholera outbreak reported by health authorities.
Army spokesman Nabil Abdallah declared, “We are pressing a large-scale operation, and we are close to clearing the whole of Khartoum state from the dirty thugs.”
This latest surge in violence, which began in April 2023, pits the military led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against the RSF commanded by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The renewed fighting comes as both factions are attempting to establish rival governments.
Political Developments Amidst Conflict
On Monday, Burhan appointed former UN official Kamil Idris as prime minister. Analysts view this as an effort to present a functioning civilian administration amidst the ongoing war and gain international recognition.
The African Union welcomed the appointment, describing it as “a step toward inclusive governance” and expressing hope for the restoration of constitutional order and democratic governance in Sudan.
Burhan also appointed two women to the ruling Transitional Sovereignty Council and curtailed its powers over the cabinet, moves that analyst Kholood Khair believes are designed to show progress and appeal to the African Union following Sudan’s membership suspension in 2021.
Khair suggests Burhan seek to “maintain power but share liability” as he faces pressure after recent attacks on his wartime capital, Port Sudan.
Conversely, the RSF announced in April its intention to form its government in areas under its control, though observers believe it’s unlikely to secure international backing.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
The military’s recent battlefield victory in March, which saw them recapture most of Khartoum, has been followed by renewed RSF attacks deeper into army-held territory this month.
Long-range drone strikes, attributed to the paramilitaries, have targeted critical infrastructure in northeastern Sudan, including Port Sudan and power stations supplying millions.
With their main bases now largely confined to Salha and Ombada, south and west of Omdurman, respectively, the RSF has been launching attacks across Khartoum, including drone strikes that caused widespread power outages last week.
The humanitarian situation is dire. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that the local water network has been forced out of service due to the power blackouts, increasing the risk of a cholera outbreak.
Health ministry officials confirmed 51 deaths from over 2,300 cholera cases in the past three weeks, with 90 per cent of them in Khartoum state. MSF also noted that the electricity blackouts have disrupted healthcare at major hospitals, raising fears of heightened civilian suffering.
UN human rights expert Radhouane Nouicer warned on Monday that “recurrent attacks on critical infrastructure place civilian lives at risk, worsen the humanitarian crisis, and undermine basic human rights.”
The conflict, ongoing since April 2023, has killed tens of thousands, displaced 13 million people, and created the world’s largest hunger and displacement crises.
It has also effectively divided Sudan, with the army controlling the centre, north, and east, while the RSF and its allies hold significant portions of the vast western Darfur region and parts of the south.
