56 dead as soldiers, paramilitary officials clash in Sudan

At least 56 people have been killed in clashes between soldiers and paramilitary officials in Sudan. Algeria is reporting

The unrest between the two groups, which broke out on Saturday, has injured around 595 people, including fighters, according to the Sudanese Medical Union.

Sudan’s paramilitary leader Mohamed Dagalo said he had taken over most of the official sites in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, after clashes broke out between his armed group and the country’s army.

“The Rapid Support Force (RSF) controls more than 90 percent of strategic areas in Khartoum,” CNN quoted Mr. Dagalo as saying in an interview with Sky News Arabia.

The country’s military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, disputed the former’s claim, saying the military continues to maintain control of government areas.

Until recently, the two groups were allies who worked together on a 2021 coup, but have recently become tense as plans to integrate the RSF into the army are being negotiated.

The sounds of gunfire and heavy artillery continue to reverberate through the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, for a second day. Sunday was declared a public holiday by the Khartoum State Security Committee “to protect the lives of citizens and their property”.

According to Aljazeera, the two sides have been vying for power as political groups negotiate to form a transitional government. After a military coup in 2021. The tensions stem from disagreements between the military, led by the leaders of the two groups, over how the paramilitary force should be integrated into the armed forces and which authority should oversee this process.

Sunday’s fierce fighting came as the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates called on the opposing sides to “immediately and unconditionally end hostilities”.

World leaders condemn unrest

World leaders have condemned the violence and called for an end to the situation.

UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned the violence in a tweet and said he is working with the AU and regional leaders on the issue. He reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support the people of Sudan in their efforts to restore the democratic transition.

According to the UN spokesperson, Mr. Guterres has spoken with Egyptian President Sisi and African Union Commission President Moussa Mahamat on how to defuse the situation.

“He has also spoken to Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and RSF leader Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, asking for an immediate end to the violence and a return to dialogue. He offered his good offices, in coordination with ongoing efforts, to restore security and conclude the ongoing political process,” the spokesperson said in a tweet.

Kenyan President William Ruto has said that Kenya is concerned about the unfolding crisis in Sudan. He encouraged the parties to resolve any differences through peaceful means for the sake of the security of the Sudanese people and the stability of the country and the region, especially during this holy month of Ramadan.

“Outbreaks of violence will only return Sudan to the detriment of its lasting peace and prosperity,” he said, adding that Kenya and IGAD states are ready to help resolve this crisis.

“I am consulting with regional leadership and other key international partners to find ways to support dialogue and mediation,” Ruto added.

EU Commission Vice President Josep Borell said the EU strongly condemns the outbreak of violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Aid Forces.

“We call on all sides to show leadership and immediately cease hostilities,” he tweeted.

The Kenyan president expressed his support for the gathering of IGAD member states to help resolve the crisis in Sudan. All efforts are welcome to find ways to support dialogue and mediation. The EU is ready to support such efforts, he said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “The fighting between SAF and RSF forces threatens the safety and security of Sudanese civilians and undermines efforts to restore Sudan’s democratic transition. The only way forward is a return to negotiations.”

The African Union Commission (AUC) said in a statement that it continues “with great concern” the developments in Sudan and “directly and indirectly encouraged the political parties, civil and military, to seek a consensual solution to the crisis created by the coup d’état of October 25 and its harmful consequences”.

The AUC called on all parties, the armed forces and the rapid intervention forces, in particular, to immediately stop the destruction of the country, the terror of the population and the bloodbaths of the innocent during the last ten days of Ramadan.

“At this moment of extreme urgency, the president of the AUC calls on all components of the international community to unite their united and urgent efforts to get the parties to immediately stop military actions and return to the negotiating table. This crisis is satisfactory to all,” the statement said.

The United Arab Emirates called on all Sudanese parties to take action, de-escalate and work to end the crisis through dialogue, according to the state news agency WAM.

The agency said the UAE embassy in Khartoum was following “developments in Sudan with great concern” and reiterated the UAE’s position on the importance of de-escalation and working to find a peaceful solution to the crisis between the parties concerned.

France expressed “deep concern” over the fighting in Sudan and called on Khartoum’s warring military factions to “do everything” to stop the violence.

“Only a return to an inclusive political process leading to the appointment of a transitional government and general elections can resolve this crisis in the long term,” the foreign ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said that France “is available, with other partners in Sudan, to facilitate the end of the crisis and promote a political solution”.

Russia’s embassy in Sudan said it was concerned about the “escalation of violence” in the country and called for a ceasefire and negotiations, Russia’s state news agency RIA reported.

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The embassy said the atmosphere in Khartoum was tense but Russian diplomats were safe.

Egypt has expressed great concern over the ongoing clashes in Sudan and has called on all parties to take action, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Saudi government said it was “deeply concerned” by the escalation and fighting in Sudan. He urged warring factions to “choose dialogue over conflict”.