The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Sudan have taken control of Wad Madani, the second largest city in the country. The city had previously housed a large number of refugees from the capital city, Khartoum, during the eight-month conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary RSF.
On Monday, the RSF shared videos of fighters in pickup trucks driving through the streets of the city, which is the capital of el-Gezira state.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) made progress after engaging in three days of intense conflict, resulting in thousands of residents fleeing southward. On Sunday, the military, police, and certain civilians were responsible for looting markets and homes, with further reports of RSF fighters carrying out similar actions on Monday.
Army intelligence units were allegedly detaining civilians based on their ethnicity, specifically targeting those from Darfur who have been residing in el-Gezira for a long time as agricultural laborers.
Numerous aid groups, several of which had shifted their operations from Khartoum to the city, were said to have halted their activities following the RSF’s progress.
Wad Madani, established almost a century ago during the period of British and Egyptian control, is the location of the initial infantry division of the army.
Over 10,000 individuals have lost their lives since the conflict between the two opposing factions began in April. This has resulted in six million individuals being displaced from their homes, creating the largest internal displacement crisis in the world.
The leader of the army, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the leader of the RSF, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, jointly governed with a civilian government following the removal of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. However, the two generals staged a coup in 2021 and then had a disagreement this year about when the RSF should be incorporated into the army.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have steadily made progress in capturing major cities throughout the country, including four states in Darfur and a majority of Khartoum. Despite regional attempts to end the conflict, they have been unsuccessful.
The United Nations reported that approximately half of Sudan’s population is experiencing food insecurity, and over 20 million children have been unable to attend school due to the ongoing war. Allegations have been made against both parties for widespread sexual violence against women and girls.
Source: theguardian.com
