Sudan’s protracted conflict has plunged the nation into a humanitarian catastrophe, with over half of its 45 million population displaced and nearly a million facing famine. The war, now in its 27th month, remains in a strategic deadlock, with neither the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) able to secure a decisive advantage. The SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, recently recaptured central Khartoum, showcasing newly acquired weaponry from Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and Iran. However, their offensive quickly stalled. Meanwhile, the RSF, under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), launched a devastating drone attack on Port Sudan, the interim capital and primary hub for humanitarian aid. The RSF has expanded its operations southward, striking alliances with rebel groups and besieging North Darfur’s capital, el-Fasher. The conflict has exacerbated ethnic tensions, with the RSF accused of genocide against the Massalit people in West Darfur. Civilians, who once united to overthrow former leader Omar al-Bashir, are now fragmented, with some aligning with Burhan, others with Hemedti, and many attempting neutrality. Despite international efforts, including a UN peace plan and a London conference, no credible peace process exists. The UAE and Saudi Arabia’s disagreements further complicate diplomatic resolutions. As the world’s largest humanitarian emergency worsens, multilateral organizations like the UN and African Union are called upon to prioritize Sudan’s crisis and remind global powers of their commitments to human rights and peace.
标签： Africa
非洲
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Sudan crisis: Burhan and Hemedti – the two generals at the heart of the conflict
The streets of Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, are now a battleground, echoing with explosions and shrouded in smoke. The country has plunged into chaos as two powerful generals, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), engage in a fierce struggle for supremacy. Once allies in the 2019 coup that ousted former dictator Omar al-Bashir, their rivalry now threatens to dismantle the nation. Their relationship dates back to the Darfur conflict, where both played pivotal roles in counter-insurgency operations. Hemedti, once a militia leader, rose to prominence by aligning with the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, while al-Burhan solidified his position within the SAF. Despite their past collaboration, tensions escalated after the 2021 military takeover, with al-Burhan accused of reinstating Bashir-era loyalists, prompting Hemedti’s dissent. Hemedti, often marginalized by Sudan’s elite, has sought to position himself as a national leader, advocating for democracy while consolidating power through his vast business empire. The current conflict centers on the integration of the RSF into the regular armed forces, a contentious issue that has reignited hostilities. As the fighting intensifies, civilians bear the brunt of the violence, and the future of Sudan hangs in the balance.