Sudan's Paramilitaries seize presidential palace amid clash with Army

Sudan paramilitaries say they took control of Presidential Palace < br > Image Credit: Twitter/@FlashUpdate9ja

KHARTOUM, Sudan - Forces loyal to the Sudanese military leader Abdal Fatah Al Burhan engaged in a fierce gunfight with Rapid Support Force commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, with the Saturday clashes engulfing the capital Khartoum, in what could delay peace building process in the Horn of Africa nation.

Reports indicate that the military and RSF engaged in a serious gunfight with explosions heard both in southern and northern parts of the troubled city which has been under siege for over three years. Both sides are fighting to control the government which is on the verge of collapsing.

Also targeted in the latest clashes are the Khartoum International Airport and the presidential palace, making the entire city almost inhabitable and uncontrollable due to security concerns. Civilians have been a major target of the clashes which have been ongoing for months.

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said they had taken control of the presidential palace, the residence of the army chief, and Khartoum international airport on Saturday in an apparent coup attempt as clashes erupted with the army, according to Reuters. 

Sudan is struggling to return to civilian rule after the ouster of Omar al-Bashir who was ousted in 2019 after over three decades in power.

Progressive forces at that time forced him out of the office and detained him, leading to the International Criminal Court to also step forward due to previous war crimes against him especially over the Darfur conflict.

Al-Bashir has been in prison but despite his unceremonious exit, gaps in leadership have been noticeable given the fallout between the military and the civilians who were incorporated into the transitional government. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was forced to exit after a fallout with Al Burhan but there has been pressure to pave way for civilian rule.

With pressure mounting from the civilians in the country, it has not been rosy either within the military following the emergence of RSF who are pro-civilians. The forces have been fighting to topple their colleagues in the military making the situation worse in the capital, which was once a hub of peace.

Sudan is engulfed in a myriad of challenges including internal conflicts involving militia and now the conflict within the government. The number of casualties from Saturday's clashes is still unknown but the country has lost thousands of people from the era of civil war which led to the creation of South Sudan to the current situation.

GAROWE ONLINE