Sudan Conflict Explained [UPSC Notes]

On February 19, 2023, a violent conflict erupted in Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, and the country’s army, resulting in the deaths of at least 185 people and injuring around 1,800 others, including combatants. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about Sudan’s transition to democracy, which has been underway since the 2019 overthrow of long-serving authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir.

Origin of the Sudan Conflict

• Sudan’s conflict started with a countrywide uprising in 2019, which led to the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir. 
• After Bashir’s removal, civilians continued to demand democratic elections and a civilian-led government. 
• The military and protesters reached an agreement to form a power-sharing body called the Sovereignty Council in August 2019. 
• The council consists of both military officers and civilians and is tasked with leading Sudan to elections in 2023, with Abdalla Hamdok as the Prime Minister for the transitional period.
• However, the military overthrew Hamdok’s government in October 2021, and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan became the de-facto leader of the country, announcing that the military would hold power until elections are held in July 2023. 
• This led to renewed protests, and tensions between the army and the RSF, which played a significant role in Bashir’s ouster, have been mounting since then.

Tussle between RSF and Army:

• The recent clashes between the army and RSF were triggered by weeks of heightened tensions over the RSF’s integration into the army. 
• The RSF wanted to delay its integration into the army for ten years, while the army stated that it would happen within the next two years. 
• The RSF’s redeployment around the country in recent weeks was seen as a provocation by the army, leading to the ferocious battle that erupted on February 19.

Also read: Israel – Palestine Conflict

Repercussions for Sudan

• Sudan’s economy has been struggling due to hyperinflation and massive foreign debt. 
• International support and debt relief worth billions of dollars were frozen after the Hamdok government’s ouster. 
• The conflict between the army and the RSF is likely to make Sudan’s transition to democracy even more challenging. 
• Some experts fear that the conflict could escalate into a wider conflict leading to the country’s collapse.

International Response:

• The US, UK, EU, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and UAE have asked the fighting groups to stop fighting right away. 
• The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has also talked to Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Leader of RSF), asking them to stop the violence.
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the two generals to take active measures to reduce tensions, adding that the only way forward was to return to negotiations that support the Sudanese people’s democratic aspirations.

Countries rush to evacuate citizens from Sudan as the US, and UK pull out their diplomats  

The outbreak of civil war in Sudan has led to governments rushing to evacuate their diplomatic staff and citizens trapped in the capital.

• Recent fighting intensified in Omdurman which is the city across the Nile from the capital of Sudan Khartoum.
• American officials said that government-coordinated evacuation of private citizens is very dangerous.
• France, Greece and other European nations also organized a mass exodus and other countries also made severe desperate efforts to evacuate citizens and diplomats. 
• India also launched Operation Kaveri to rescue Indian citizens stranded in the conflict in Sudan. India sent an IAF aircraft and navy ship INS Sumedha which had already reached Port Sudan for the rescue operation.

Conclusion:

• The ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF is a significant setback to Sudan’s transition to democracy. 
• The violence has claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including innocent civilians like Indian national Albert Augustine. 
• As international pressure mounts on the warring parties to end the hostilities, the world waits to see if Sudan can find a peaceful path forward.

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