Status: 04/18/2023 11:44 AM
The fierce fighting in Sudan does not stop. Residential areas were bombed, and the number of casualties increased. The European Union’s ambassador to Sudan was attacked at his residence.
Heavy fighting continued between the two rival armies and paramilitary camps in Sudan. In the three-day power struggle between Sudan’s army led by Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the rival paramilitary units of his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the fronts have hardened. The number of civilian casualties is likely to continue to rise.
Fighting continues between the army and paramilitary forces in Sudan
Tagesshaw 09:00 AM, April 18, 2023
German UN mediator Volker Perthes criticized the failure to protect international organizations and civilians in the clashes between the army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces. The UN assumed at least 185 people had been killed and 1,800 wounded by Monday evening – including combatants and civilians. According to Perthes, fierce fighting continued in the capital, Khartoum, around closed bridges, the international airport, and the headquarters of the army and the Rapid Support Forces.
Leaders of the Rapid Support Forces are calling for a 24-hour cease-fire
In the morning, the leader of the RSF, Dagalo, spoke in favor of a 24-hour ceasefire. „The Rapid Support Forces agreed to a ceasefire to allow the evacuation of civilians and the wounded,” Dagolo wrote on Twitter.
But the Sudanese army denied knowledge of the cease-fire. UN mediator Perthes said several attempts at a ceasefire initially failed on Sunday and Monday.
Amnesty: Civilians Trapped on the Battlefield
According to Amnesty International, the use of heavy weapons, including artillery, tanks and jet aircraft, has wreaked havoc in densely populated areas of Khartoum. Amnesty said civilians were caught in the middle of the battlefield. Given the confusing situation and the contradictory information provided by both sides of the conflict, it remained unclear who had the upper hand in the power struggle between the two rival camps. Residents of the capital, Khartoum, reported continued gunfire and explosions.
At least 12 hospitals in the greater metropolitan area have been closed due to damage from the fighting, according to the Doctors Syndicate, the Associated Press news agency reported. The Sudanese Medical Commission called on the parties to the conflict to stop their „continuous attacks” on hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel.
Fighting continued not only in Khartoum, but also in other parts of the country – for example in the city of Meroe, which has an important airport, and in the city of Ngala in Darfur. The governor of North Darfur, Nimr Abdel Rahman, told the German News Agency (DPA) that at least 65 people were killed and 160 others wounded in his area alone. Abdel Rahman said electricity and water supplies had been disrupted in parts of North Darfur due to the violence.
An American diplomatic convoy is under fire
During fighting between the military and paramilitary forces, an apparently American diplomatic convoy comes under fire. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said fighters linked to the Rapid Support Forces fired on the convoy on Monday. The people in the convoy are safe. He called on the commander of the RSF, Dagalo, and the army chief, Al-Burhan, to make it clear that „any attacks that threaten or endanger our diplomats are completely unacceptable.”
The G7 countries demanded an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities. „We call on all parties to refrain from violence, return to negotiations and take effective steps to reduce tensions,” said the closing paper of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, which concluded today in the Japanese resort of Karuizawa. The safety of civilians and diplomatic and humanitarian personnel must also be guaranteed.
UN mediators: Leaders blame each other
UN mediator Perthes said he would try again today to negotiate a flexible ceasefire between the warring parties. In conversations with their leaders, both sides blamed each other for the escalation. According to him, Al-Burhan and Daglo are under a lot of pressure. However, Perthes emphasized that they are open to talks with the United Nations and other international actors.
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday evening that the European Union is also trying to persuade the warring parties to consider a humanitarian ceasefire. He gave no details of peace efforts. A spokeswoman had earlier reported on Borrell’s talks about the crisis with senior politicians from Kenya, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Three presidents from East Africa and a representative of the African Union are scheduled to travel to Khartoum as mediators. Because of the fighting that was also taking place at Khartoum International Airport, this has not been possible until now.
The EU ambassador attacked O’Hara
The EU ambassador to Sudan, Aidan O’Hara, was attacked at his residence, according to Borrell. The foreign policy representative of the European Union wrote on Twitter that this law is a serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The security of diplomatic facilities and personnel is primarily the responsibility of the Sudanese authorities and is an obligation under international law.
Burrell provided no information on the type of attack and the perpetrator or perpetrators. It was also not clear whether the ambassador was injured or fled in panic. And in the evening in Brussels, diplomatic circles said that the ambassador was safe and unharmed.
The power struggle in Sudan is increasingly causing chaos in Africa’s third-largest country, with a population of about 46 million and rich in oil and gold. Sky News broadcaster reported that Al-Burhan expressed his willingness to speak in a telephone interview on Monday. Accordingly, he said, „Every war ends with negotiations, even if the opponent is defeated.” The army will win – „definitely, God willing.” However, Al-Burhan did not provide any specific information about the possible negotiations.
The situation in Sudan – update as of Tuesday noon
Tilo Spanhill, Cairo, Apr 18, 2023 11:46 am
