Khartum conquers: head of state proclaims freedom after a long civil war

Khartum conquers: head of state proclaims freedom after a long civil war

Khartum, Sudan - On March 26, 2025, the Sudanese head of state Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced the reconquest of the capital Khartum through the regular army, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Al-Burhan said: "Khartum is freed." However, the reports on the complete control of the city could not be confirmed independently. At the same time, a consultant of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) admitted the loss of the presidential palace, airport and other districts.

The fights between the SAF and the RSF, which have been going on since April 15, 2023, have led to a humanitarian disaster. Up to 12.9 million people were driven out in the course of the conflict. Experts appreciate the number of fatalities between 60,000 and 150,000, which were caused by violence, hunger and diseases.

Current developments in the conflict

The civil war, which was created by a power struggle between Al-Burhan and the RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemeti, has massively deteriorated the life situation in Sudan. While the RSF controlled large parts of Khartum for over two years, the influence of the SAF in other regions, especially in Port Sudan, was preserved. The RSF still have important areas in the west of Sudan.

These military conflicts were tightened by an air raid on RSF areas in Northern Darfur on Monday, in which dozens of civilians died. Satellite images also confirmed reports on a massive bombing of a market through the army.

Humanitarian crisis and international reactions

The humanitarian situation is catastrophic: According to the United Nations, around 25 million people need humanitarian aid, 17.7 million are acute threatened by hunger. In addition, almost 2 million people left the country, primarily to Egypt, Chad and South Sudan. International attention to the conflict is low in the media.

The RSF, which was founded in 2013 to regulate power within the regime, received their support from international actors, including the Russian Wagner Group, while the SAF has support from countries such as Egypt, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

historical context of the conflict

The current conflict in Sudan is not isolated. It is the result of years of political instability and civil wars in the country, which was British colony until 1956. A civil society has been demanding democratic redesign since then, but military interventions and power games have often counteracted this movement. The fall of the dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019 led to short-term optimism, but permanent conflicts between different power clans.

The country's history so far, especially with regard to the Darfur conflict of 2003, has further deepened the wounds of society and questions the future of the Sudan. The support of the international community and sustainable solutions are necessary to end the humanitarian crisis and establish peace in the country.

Further detailed information is in the reports of vienna.at , wikipedia and bpb.de find.