The Sudanese army and paramilitary forces clashed fiercely across the Nile River in the capital Khartoum on Monday, marking the eighth month of a brutal conflict that has drawn international condemnation for its widespread atrocities.
Witnesses reported artillery and rocket fire raining down from both sides of the river, with the fighting particularly intense in the areas of Omdurman, on the west bank, and Khartoum North, on the east bank. The clashes have caused widespread disruption to life in the city, with residents reporting power outages and shortages of food and fuel.
The conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by Burhan's former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, began in April 2023 when the two sides clashed over control of the country. The fighting has since escalated, with over 10,000 people killed and 6.3 million displaced from their homes.
The conflict has also been marked by widespread atrocities, including mass killings, ethnic cleansing, arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, and looting. Rights groups have condemned the Sudanese government for its failure to hold accountable those responsible for these crimes.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have brokered negotiations between the two sides, but these efforts have so far yielded little progress. The two sides appear unwilling to compromise on their demands, and the fighting shows no signs of abating.
The latest clashes come as the UN Security Council is considering a resolution that would impose sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for atrocities in Sudan. The resolution is facing opposition from Russia and China, which have close ties to the Sudanese government.
Human Rights Watch has called on the international community to take urgent action to prevent further atrocities in Sudan. "The UN Security Council must stop ignoring the desperate need to protect Darfur civilians," said HRW's Mohamed Osman.
