Fighting broke out in the Sudanese capital Khartoum between the paramilitary organization RSF (Rapid Support Forces) and the Sudanese army. This resulted in three fatal civilian casualties. RSF claims to have taken control of the presidential palace and airport, but this has been denied by government forces. “The 22 Belgians in Khartoum are all safe and sound,” said the Foreign Affairs spokesperson in Brussels.
The fighting is the result of long-standing tensions between Army General Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, the leader of the RSF, and Abdel Fattah al-Burhane, Sudan’s de facto leader. They were on the same side in the 2021 military coup, but their rivalry intensified after that. This provoked a deep political crisis. Particularly the integration of the RSF in the government army is a thorny issue. Tensions between the two camps are hampering the transition to a new civilian government. The next elections in Sudan would be held in July.
The heightened tensions now led to fighting. Gunshots and explosions have been heard especially in the north of the capital, where the presidential palace and airport are located, and in the south, where the RSF headquarters are located. Both sides accuse each other of opening fire. The RSF is now calling on the population to rally behind them and protect “the gains of the revolution”, a reference to the popular uprising against dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
Belgians “safe and well”
“We have contacted all Belgians who are present in Sudan and have registered with Foreign Affairs and they are doing well. Most are there for professional reasons. Not a single request for help has reached us,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “Everything is under control,” the spokesperson emphasizes.
Belgium has no diplomatic representation in Sudan. “But we have an embassy in Cairo that has jurisdiction over Khartoum. And we are in contact with the Dutch embassy in the city,” Foreign Affairs underlined. The evolution of the situation is being closely monitored, it sounds.
Flights cancelled
An Egyptian and a Saudi Arabian airline have decided to cancel flights to Khartoum airport because they say safety cannot be guaranteed. “Flights to and from Sudan have been suspended to ensure the safety of passengers and crew,” said Saudia, formerly Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Earlier, one of the planes with crew and passengers on board the Saudi Arabian airline was damaged by gunfire. EgyptAir has suspended its connections to the Sudanese capital Khartoum for 72 hours from Saturday.
Response UN
The United Nations Special Envoy to Sudan, Germany’s Volker Perthes, meanwhile, has called on the army and RSF to “immediately” halt their fighting in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. “Perthes has contacted both sides asking them to immediately cease hostilities for the safety of the Sudanese people and to spare the country further violence,” the UN mission in Sudan said in a statement.
UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission Sudan
@UNITAMS
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