CONFLICT IN SUDAN - INTERNATIONAL
News: Why
are Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces fighting each other?
What's in the news?
● At
least 185 people have been killed and 1,800 more, including combatants, have
been wounded in Khartoum, the capital of
Sudan, since fierce fighting broke out between the country’s army and
paramilitary forces.
Conflict in Sudan:
● Clashes
erupted after weeks of heightened tensions between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by Mohamed
Hamdan Dagalo - also known as Hemedti
and the military, headed by Lt Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
● The
two generals disagree over the proposed transition to civilian rule in Sudan.
Origin of the conflict:
● The
roots of the ongoing conflict go back to April 2019, when Sudan’s long-serving
authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by military generals
following a countrywide uprising against him.
● Despite
Bashir’s ouster, civilians continued their demonstrations, seeking democratic
elections and the establishment of a civilian government.
● This
led to an agreement between the military and the protesters four months later,
under which it was decided to constitute the Sovereignty Council, a
power-sharing body of military officers and civilians, which would lead Sudan
to elections at the end of 2023.
● Abdalla
Hamdok was appointed Prime Minister for the transitional period, and he took
office in August 2019.
● But
the new arrangement was short-lived as the military overthrew Hamdok’s
government in October 2021, and Burhan became de-facto leader of the country.
● Dagalo,
vice-president of the ruling council and Burhan’s partner in the military seizure
of power, became the second-in-command. Burhan announced that the military
would hold power until elections are held in July 2023.
Issues:
● The
third largest country in Africa by
size has seen repeated pro-democracy protests since the 2021 coup.
● The
battle between the army and RSF has likely made Sudan’s transition to democracy
more difficult.
● Some
experts fear the tussle could transform into a wider conflict leading to the
country’s collapse.
● Sudan’s
economy is struggling, battered by hyperinflation and crippled by massive
foreign debt.
● Billions
of dollars given in international support and debt relief, were frozen after
the ouster of the Hamdok government.