SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Alsharq Alawsat – Why is the Sudanese army under fire?

31/5/2024: Alsharq Alawsat – Why is the Sudanese army under fire?, by Osman Mirghani

Veteran Sudanese journalist Osman Mirghani argues that Taqadum’s discourses are biased against the Sudanese army. 

Mirghani argues that Taqadum (previously the FFC) discredit the army’s airforce operations while “they overlook the Rapid Support militia’s (RSF) deliberate shelling of safe civilian neighbourhoods, which has claimed many lives”.

Mirghani accused Taqadum leaders of remaining silent about the RSF’s tribal mobilisation and recruitment of foreign mercenaries while attacking the popular resistance to the RSF by accusing the army of seeking a civil and tribal conflict.

Mirghani argues that while that while Taqadum spokespersons partially adjusted their rhetoric following pressure from the Umma Party, their condemnations of the RSF are immediately followed by condemnations of the army. However, Mirghani adds that “army violations are individual, while RSF violations are systematic,” which explains why “when RSF forces enter a town or village, people flee, while the army’s arrival is met with celebration”.

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Council on Foreign Relations – The World’s Shameful Neglect of Sudan

31/5/2024: Council on Foreign Relations – The World’s Shameful Neglect of Sudan, by Michelle Gavin

Council on Foreign Relations fellow Michelle Gavin warns that the international disregard paid to Sudan’s conflict will have international ramifications.

Gavin argues that Sudan’s suffering proves that international mechanisms designed to address threats to peace and security are dysfunctional, basic norms around humanitarian access and civilian protection have eroded, and that the shame that should accompany support for senseless destruction elude far too many decision-makers.”

The conflict in Sudan “will only make bad situations in South Sudan and Chad all the more precarious” writes Gavin, citing the re-empowerment of extremists.

Gavin adds that the “anemic” global response signaled to “transactional actors like the UAE, who are willing to pay for influence and bankroll the destruction, that they simply need to stay the course to achieve their aims,” which “will be a lesson those same actors are sure to apply elsewhere, regardless of the costs to others.”

SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Politico – ‘No evidence’ Biden’s Sudan policy is working

31/5/2024: Politico – ‘No evidence’ Biden’s Sudan policy is working, by Matt Berg and Eric Bazail-Eimil

Politico report that top US lawmakers from both major US parties are calling for the US president Joe Biden administration to change course on Sudan.

Biden ally Senator Chris Coons (Democrat) said the US must do more to empower Sudanese civilians and civil society groups in peace talks and seek accountability for war crimes.

Republican Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the administration’s sanctions policy is “uncoordinated and not part of a larger strategy to achieve a lasting cease-fire,” calling on the White House to target countries who supply weapons and materiel to the warring parties.

Michelle Gavin, an ex-ambassador to Botswana, said “the US appears to be far more invested in the Jeddah process than the belligerents or other influential regional actors…the US does not have much leverage with the warring parties, and seems unwilling to use real leverage on their foreign supporters”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – Former Sudan PM Hamdok confirmed as Tagadom president

31/5/2024: Radio Dabanga – Former Sudan PM Hamdok confirmed as Tagadom president

Radio Dabanga report that the founding conference of the Civil Democratic Forces (Tagadom) concluded with ex-Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok confirmed as the coalition’s president.

During the conference, some groups reportedly advocated forming a ‘shadow’ government in exile, while others reject this proposal. Participants agreed not to recognise the current de-facto government in Port Sudan, viewing it as “a war government promoting continued conflict”.

During a session chaired by El-Hadi Idris, of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council (SLM-TC) faction and head of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) alliance, some voices call for cancelling the Addis Ababa declaration signed between RSF and Tagadom in January 2024.

This recommendation was not approved, as the declaration “is seen as a step towards an agreement with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), requiring careful implementation by the RSF”.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Reuters – Sudan at 'imminent risk of famine' - U.N.

31/5/2024: Reuters – Sudan at 'imminent risk of famine' - U.N.

Reuters report that UN agencies said the people of Sudan are at imminent risk of famine. 

Around 18 million people are already acutely hungry, including 3.6 million children who are acutely malnourished, according to a joint statement by U.N. chiefs including Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights

"Without an immediate and major step change, we will face a nightmare scenario: A famine will take hold in large parts of the country," read the statement also signed by U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune – Fierce clashes erupt between Sudanese army and RSF in Khartoum North

31/5/2024: Sudan Tribune – Fierce clashes erupt between Sudanese army and RSF in Khartoum North

Sudan Tribune report that battles erupted between the Sudanese army (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in various parts of Khartoum North (Bahri).

Large contingents of SAF crossed the Halfaya bridge connecting Omdurman and Bahri, after destroying RSF positions on the bridge’s eastern side and enabling the army’s entry into the city.

Military sources indicated that the operation aimed to deliver critical supplies to forces stationed at the Signal Corps in Bahri, where the RSF controls most parts. The army simultaneously advanced into the Dardoog area of Bahri while warplanes bombarded RSF forces coming from Sharg al-Nile and Khartoum.  

The Signal Corps, located in the far south of Bahri, was attacked by the RSF the previous day but the army’s advanced defence  supported by drones and heavy artillery continued to repel these attacks.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune – 10 killed by RSF artillery shelling in North Darfur’s capital

31/5/2024: Sudan Tribune – 10 killed by RSF artillery shelling in North Darfur’s capital

Sudan Tribune report that at least ten were killed after intense

artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on densely populated neighbourhoods in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.  

El-Fashir has been engulfed in fierce battles between the army, supported by allied armed movements, and the RSF since 10 May 2024. As a result, there have been more than 150 deaths, around a thousand injured and over 500,000 displaced. 

The RSF targeted southern El-Fashir, including the only operational medical facility in the city. Mohamed Suleiman Hamed, a volunteer at the southern hospital, condemned the RSF’s targeting of civilian facilities, including hospitals and told Sudan Tribune that “the army leadership and the joint forces do not target hospitals.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Mada Masr – Sudan Nashra: No safe place for civilians in Fasher

31/5/2024: Mada Masr – Sudan Nashra: No safe place for civilians in Fasher, by Hassan Alnaser, Mashair Idris, Mohamed Alagra and Omar al-Faroug

3 different summaries

Increased foreign supplies fuel army offensives

Mada Masr’s military sources said the Sudanese Air Force spearheaded an unprecedented surge in offensives in May 2024, with a field commander saying the military’s strategies shifted toward offensive operations and territorial expansion at the start of the year.

Alongside intensified airstrikes in North Darfur, Al-Jazirah and the White Nile states, RSF positions were reportedly destroyed across Khartoum state including Baraha hospital in Bahri - “used by the RSF as a stronghold and field hospital”, with RSF supply locations in North Kordofan intercepted.

As per Mada Masr’s sources, the intensified airstrikes are a result of increased foreign military supplies, with the army’s logistical support centers bolstered through agreements with China, Russia and Iran. Nonetheless, there is also a renewed focus on reviving Sudan’s domestic military industry.

Elfashir, Darfur: RSF siege targeting civilians

Mada Masr report on clashes in Al-Fashir between the Sudanese army (SAF) and allied armed movements, and the Rapid Support (RSF) and allied militias.

The RSF have reportedly cut off food supply lines, seized water resources, and control crop distribution, “all of which have placed those living inside the city in a dire humanitarian situation”. The most intense clashes took place in the Golo reservoir area west of el-Fasher, which supplies 20% of the city’s water needs. The leading RSF militant deployed to the area – Savanna – declared the capture of the reservoir and disruption of water supply.

Sources say the displacement of Abu Shouk camp’s residents is inevitable, with ongoing attacks targeting civilians and the camp “part of [RSF] military tactics”. Amid “extreme” challenges accessing water and food supplies, families face severe hurdles leaving El-Fashir due to the RSF-imposed siege, rendering them vulnerable to arrests and death amid military assaults.  

Babanusa, West Kordofan: army repels RSF attacks

Mada Masr report that the in the city of Babanusa in West Kordofan State, the Sudanese army repelled waves of Rapid Support militia (RSF) attacks on the military’s 22nd infantry division and inflicted losses on the RSF.

Since January 2024, the RSF has been attempting to capture the division in Babanusa. However, the soldiers and mobilized civilians have managed to repel the repeated assaults and push back the attacking forces to more distant and less high-risk areas.

A field source told Mada Masr that the RSF’s recent and most intense attack in weeks was met with military aircraft and heavy weapon fire, leading to their retreat.

The city witnessed an unprecedented mass exodus as residents fled the clashes, seeking refuge in the city of Fula and other safer areas within the state

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Sudan Tribune – Military council meets SPLM-N’s Arman, ending contention over his return to Sudan

31/5/19: Sudan Tribune – Military council meets SPLM-N’s Arman, ending contention over his return to Sudan

Sudan Tribune reports The TMC held a meeting with the deputy leader of Sudanese rebel group, the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), Yassir Arman. The meeting ended controversial demands for Arman to leave Sudan.

 His return was welcomed by political forces and seen as a positive step towards ending the armed conflicts as it would encourage the other groups to follow his example, but the TMC seniority demanded that he leave.

 However, Arman, and the SPLM-N secretary general Ismail Jallab were received by TMC spokesperson Shams Al Din Kabbashi and TMC political committee chief Yassir Al Atta. An SPLM-N statement said that the meeting was “frank and open and dealt with the current political situation, issues of just peace and ending wars forever.”

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga – Young man killed by Sudanese government forces near Khartoum sit-in

31/5/19: Radio Dabanga – Young man killed by Sudanese government forces near Khartoum sit-in

 Radio Dabanga reports that a young man was killed and several others were wounded when government forces shot at protesters on Nile Street, near the sit-in outside the military HQ.

 The problems started after elements of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia beat protesters with whips, witnesses, including several journalists, told Radio Dabanga. Other protesters intervened to defend them, after which the militiamen began shooting at the people.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: AP – Protesters in Sudan fear long-term sit-in could be dispersed

31/5/19: AP – Protesters in Sudan fear long-term sit-in could be dispersed

Protesters in Sudan on Friday voiced concerns that the TMC might disperse the Khartoum sit-in, after a general described it as a “threat to the revolution.”

 Maj. Gen. Othman Hamed of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces said the sit-in “has become a hub for all kind of criminal acts…an unsafe place...and is threat to the national security of the state,” adding that “the [RSF] in coordination with other security forces ... [will] carry out legal procedures to stop…this behavior.”

 Tarek Abdel Meguid, a communist DFC leader, said that such “statements reveal the intention of the military council, which is not a partner to our revolution, to disperse the sit-in and to monopolize power.” He also dismissed allegations of illicit activities.

SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Multiple sources - Sudan bans al-Jazeera as pro-democracy demonstrations continue

31/5/19: Multiple sources – Sudan bans al-Jazeera as pro-democracy demonstrations continue

• AP

• Reuters

 Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC) has ordered Qatar-based Al Jazeera Television offices in Khartoum closed without giving any reasons, the office director said.

 The Qatar-funded satellite network has long drawn the ire of Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the four nations now locked in a nearly two-year boycott of Qatar over its alleged backing of Islamists.