Sudan Army Strikes Decisive Blow, Retakes Presidential Palace in Khartoum

Sudan’s army has achieved a major symbolic victory by retaking the presidential palace in Khartoum, dealing a significant blow to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This development marks a turning point in the ongoing civil war that has engulfed the nation since April 2023. The recapture of the palace is seen as a critical moment in the army’s counteroffensive, which began in September last year.

The victory has sparked celebrations across Sudan, with civilians welcoming the army as liberators. However, concerns remain about the conduct of army-aligned militias, which have been accused of human rights abuses in areas vacated by the RSF. Despite these reports, the general sentiment among the population is one of relief, as the RSF has been notorious for its atrocities, including killings, rapes, and widespread destruction.

The retaking of the presidential palace comes just days after RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo released a video urging his fighters to hold their ground. The RSF continues to control pockets of southern Khartoum but has lost most of the capital. This development raises questions about the future of Sudan’s civil war and the potential for a de facto partition of the country.

Sudan’s Civil War: A Timeline of Key Events

The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, pitting the national army against the RSF, a powerful paramilitary group. The war has its roots in a power struggle between the two factions, which were once allies in the transitional government following the ouster of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

Since the war began, the RSF has been accused of committing countless atrocities, particularly in Khartoum. A report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) revealed that RSF fighters detained at least 10,000 people in Khartoum between the start of the war and June 2023. The group has also been implicated in widespread sexual violence and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Despite these challenges, the army has made significant gains in recent months. The recapture of the presidential palace is the most symbolic of these victories, signaling a potential shift in the balance of power. However, the RSF remains a formidable force, particularly in the Darfur region, where it controls four of the five states.

The Symbolic Importance of the Presidential Palace

The presidential palace in Khartoum is more than just a building; it is a symbol of state authority and national unity. Its recapture by the army is a major psychological blow to the RSF, which had used the palace as a base of operations since the early days of the war.

For civilians, the army’s victory is a source of hope and relief. “In areas the RSF controls, they kill people, rape women, and destroy all humanity. Whenever the army arrives, people become happy because they feel safer. Even the children are joyous,” said Yousef, a young Sudanese man. However, this optimism is tempered by reports of abuses committed by army-aligned militias, which have raised concerns about the conduct of government forces.

The RSF’s loss of the palace is a significant setback, but the group remains a potent threat. It continues to control strategic areas in southern Khartoum and has recently captured the desert city of al-Maliha in North Darfur. The group’s ability to adapt and regroup will be critical in determining the course of the conflict.

The Risk of De Facto Partition in Sudan

Analysts warn that Sudan is increasingly at risk of a de facto partition, with the army and the RSF controlling different parts of the country. The RSF already backs a parallel government and dominates much of the Darfur region, which is roughly the size of France.

The army’s recent gains in Khartoum have not been matched by similar successes in Darfur, where the RSF remains firmly entrenched. The group’s recent capture of al-Maliha underscores its dominance in the region, although it has yet to secure el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.

Sharath Srinivasan, a Sudan expert and professor at Cambridge University, told Al Jazeera that Sudan appears to be heading toward a “Libya scenario,” with two competing authorities vying for control. “It feels the geographic bifurcation is getting stronger, except el-Fasher of course. RSF has to secure el-Fasher to claim a de facto state, which is not certain at all,” he said.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

The ongoing conflict has triggered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands of people killed, thousands missing, and millions facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. The war has displaced millions of Sudanese, both internally and across borders, creating a massive refugee crisis.

The situation is particularly dire in Darfur, where the RSF’s dominance has made it difficult for aid organizations to operate. The region has long been a flashpoint for violence, and the current conflict has only exacerbated existing tensions.

Despite the challenges, international organizations continue to assist those in need. However, the scale of the crisis far outstrips the resources available, leaving millions of Sudanese at risk of starvation and disease.

The Path to Peace in Sudan

The army has consistently refused to engage in peace talks with the RSF, insisting that it will recapture the entire country by force. This hardline stance has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation, particularly in western Sudan, where clashes could intensify in the Kordofan and Darfur regions.

The RSF, for its part, has used diplomacy as a cover to escalate its military operations. In January 2023, Hemedti signed a “Declaration of Principles” with Taqaddum, an ostensibly antiwar coalition. However, this did little to halt the violence, as RSF forces continued to pillage and terrorize civilians in Sudan’s Gezira state.

Both sides have recently vowed to continue fighting, raising fears that the conflict could spiral further out of control. The influx of sophisticated weapons into the country has only heightened these concerns, as evidenced by a recent drone strike that killed three journalists in Khartoum shortly after the army celebrated its victory at the presidential palace.