Clashes between the Sudanese army and the country’s main paramilitary forces have led to the loss of control of the presidential palace and Khartoum’s international airport, according to disputed claims by both sides in a struggle that threatens to destabilize Sudan and the wider region.
The clashes erupted amid an apparent power struggle between the two main factions of Sudan’s military regime.
The Sudanese military is largely loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s de facto ruler, while the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia group, reports to former warlord General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti.
The roots of the power struggle stretch back to the years leading up to the 2019 uprising that toppled dictator Omar al-Bashir, who formed formidable security forces that he deliberately pitted against one another.
As the tentative transition to a civilian-led democratic government stalled after Bashir’s ouster, a final confrontation seemed inevitable, with diplomats in Khartoum warning in early 2022 of their fears such violence might erupt. Tensions have risen in recent weeks.
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Al-Bashir founded the RSF to quell a rebellion in Darfur that began more than 20 years ago due to the Sudanese central government’s political and economic marginalization of the local population. The RSF was also known as the Janjaweed, which was associated with widespread atrocities.
In 2013, Bashir transformed the Janjaweed into an organized paramilitary force, bestowing military ranks on their leaders before using them to crush the rebellion in southern Darfur and then sending many to war in Yemen and later Libya.
The RSF led by Hemeti and regular forces led by Al-Burhan came together to overthrow Bashir in 2019. The RSF then broke up a peaceful demonstration taking place in front of the military headquarters in Khartoum, killing hundreds and raping dozens.
A power-sharing deal with the civilians leading the protests against al-Bashir, intended to lead to a transition to a democratic government, was stalled by a coup in October 2021.
The coup restored control of the military but faced weekly protests, renewed isolation, and worsening economic woes. Hemeti backed the plan for a new transfer, bringing tensions with Al-Burhan to the fore.
Hemedti has vast wealth derived from exporting gold from illegal mines and commands tens of thousands of war veterans. He has long rejected his position as an official member of the Governing Council of Sudan.
