Sudan Military Retakes Republican Palace After Years of Conflict

Sudan’s military has reclaimed the Republican Palace in Khartoum, the last area held by paramilitary forces, amidst a prolonged conflict. This marks a significant territorial gain for the military, which has been advancing against the RSF since the onset of the conflict in April 2023. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has resulted in thousands of casualties and widespread displacement.

Sudan’s military has announced that it has successfully retaken the Republican Palace in Khartoum, which marked the last stronghold of rival paramilitary forces after nearly two years of conflict. Video clips circulated on social media depicted soldiers confirming their presence in the palace complex, stating the date as the 21st day of Ramadan. The compound showed signs of destruction, with soldiers chanting, “God is the greatest!” as they walked on debris.

The Republican Palace, located along the Nile River, served as the government seat before the war began and is depicted on Sudanese currency. Its capture signifies a significant achievement for Sudan’s military, led by General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, who has made considerable territorial advances against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

Although the RSF has not acknowledged this setback, they remain a formidable force in Sudan, holding territory beyond Khartoum. Despite the RSF’s territorial losses, the humanitarian crisis stemming from the war continues to escalate, with over 28,000 casualties and millions displaced, leading to widespread famine.

Historically, the Republican Palace has been a symbol of Sudan’s governance, dating back to its colonial era and independence in 1956, and has been subjected to military actions for an extended period. Since the fall of the longstanding autocratic regime of Omar al-Bashir in 2019, Sudan has experienced significant instability, exacerbated by military conflicts that erupted in April 2023 between Burhan’s forces and the RSF.

Burhan’s military has regained control over various strategic locations in recent months, including key infrastructure north of the capital. However, both the Sudanese military and the RSF have been implicated in numerous human rights violations throughout the conflict, with the RSF being accused of genocide, a claim that they and the military have denied.

The retaking of the Republican Palace by Sudan’s military marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict with rival paramilitary forces. This event underscores the deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has resulted in significant loss of life and mass displacement. As the military consolidates its territorial gains, challenges remain in addressing the humanitarian needs of the population and the allegations of human rights abuses committed by both sides in the conflict.

Original Source: www.clickorlando.com