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Smoke rises above the buildings of Khartoum airport.
For the third day in a row, Sudan has become the scene of violent clashes between members of the army and the paramilitary militia known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF, for short in English).
The fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere is a direct result of the intense fighting Force fight within the country ruled by the military. These clashes have left, to date, an asset of more than more than100 dead and close 1.100 wounded.
The shooting of residents of the capital took place amid fighting between rival forces for control of the presidential palace, state television and the army headquarters.
But why did violence erupt in Sudan and what are the motives behind the conflict?
In this guide we give you the keys to understanding what is happening in the African country.
The clashes have left more than 100 dead and about 1,100 wounded so far.
1 – What is the background to the fighting?
since happened October coup 2021Sudan is ruled by a council of generals. There are two soldiers at the center of the conflict.
On the one hand, the gMajor General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhanwho holds the post of commander of the armed forces and, in fact, holds the post of head of state.
On the other hand, his deputy and leader Reporters Without Borders, gMajor General Muhammad Hamdan DagaloKnown as Hemedti.
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The rivalry between Major General Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (pictured) and Major General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is the focus of the dispute.
They disagree about the direction the country is taking and the proposed transition to civilian rule.
One of the more contentious points refers to plans to include the Rapid Support Forces, of 100,000 soldiers, in the army who will be responsible for commanding the new force.
2 – Why did hostilities begin on Saturday?
Violence erupted after the RSF was redeployed across the country in a move the military interpreted as a threat.
It was hoped that the situation would be resolved through dialogue, but this never materialized.
image source, Getty Images
If the fighting continues, this situation could lead to further fragmentation of the country and exacerbate political unrest.
It is not clear who fired the first shot on Saturday morning, but there are fears that the hostilities will further exacerbate an already volatile situation.
Diplomats urged both sides to cease fire.
3 – Who are the Rapid Support Forces?
Rapid Support Forces was formed in 2013 Their origin is infamous Janjaweed militiaAnd who fought brutally Darfur rebels.
Since then, General Daglo has built up a powerful force that intervened in the conflicts in Yemen and Libya, and controlled some of the gold mines in Sudan.
These forces have also been accused of human rights abuses, including the massacre of more than 120 protesters in June 2019.
Such a powerful force outside the military is seen as a resource Instability.
4 – Why is the army in charge of the country?
The fight over the weekend is the latest episode in the tension that followed The overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
image source, Getty Images
There have been large street protests calling for an end to President Omar al-Bashir’s nearly three-decade rule.
There were great Street protests who called for an end to his nearly three-decade rule, and the military staged a coup to remove him from power.
However, civilians continued to claim a role in the plan to move toward democratic government.
After that a joint military-civilian government was formed, but it was overthrown Another hit in October 2021.
Since then, the rivalry between General Burhan and General Dagalo has intensified.
In December last year, a framework agreement was reached to return power to civilians. However, talks failed to finalize the details.
5 – What could happen now?
If the fighting continues, this situation could lead to further fragmentation of the country and exacerbate political unrest.
The diplomats, who played a crucial role in trying to urge a return to civilian rule, will be desperate to find a way to get the two generals to establish dialogue.
Regional leaders agreed on Sunday that three African leaders – the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti – would travel to Khartoum to try to move forward a ceasefire and peace talks, but with Sudan’s international airport closed, it was not clear when. take place.
Meanwhile, it will be the Sudanese who will have to live through another period of uncertainty.
A rights activist told the BBC from the Sudanese capital that people in Khartoum were left without water and food, after three days of fighting that left the city without electricity, and its shops closed.
image source, Getty Images
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