Status: 04/21/2023 06:08
Even at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, Sudan does not rest. The fighting continues in the capital Karthum. But there are also new talks of a ceasefire. The United States, for its part, confirmed the death of an American.
The Sudanese capital Khartoum was again rocked by shelling and artillery fire on Friday morning. “Fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group RSF continues. The destruction of buildings, facilities and public property continues,” a Sudanese medical committee said.
At least 330 people have been killed in the violent power struggle between Sudan’s ruler, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF militia chief, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who was once his ally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 3,200 were injured. Thousands of civilians tried to flee Khartoum again yesterday.
Talking about a truce again
A coalition of civil organizations said on social media that it had proposed a three-day ceasefire to rival groups. The proposal was positively received by both parties. The RSF said it would agree to a 72-hour ceasefire. The military has yet to comment.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had already called for a three-day ceasefire on Thursday so that the civilian population could stay safe. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also spoke out in favor of a ceasefire. But so far all efforts to achieve a ceasefire have failed.
US government confirms death of American
Meanwhile, the US government confirmed the death of a US citizen in Sudan. You are in contact with the family. The ministry did not provide further details. The person’s identity and how he died remained open.
Washington also announced that the US military was preparing to evacuate embassy staff. The Ministry of Defense announced that additional units were redeployed to neighboring countries. The plans must “guarantee or, if necessary, allow for a possible departure of embassy personnel”. No decision has yet been made, said National Security Council communications director John Kirby.
Federal government continues to work on evacuation
The German foreign minister said in the evening that the federal government was doing everything in its power to help German citizens in Sudan. The Bundeswehr had to abandon a first attempt to get German citizens out of the country on Wednesday for security reasons. A plan to use the air force to do this was stalled because of insecurity in the embattled capital Khartoum.
The deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Johann Wadephul, however criticized the government’s information policy on a possible evacuation mission in Sudan. The Bundeswehr has proven that it can carry out such difficult operations, the CDU politician told the Germany editorial network. “But it is important that the federal government seeks close contact with parliament at such a critical stage, including on issues of a possible mandate. The current information policy is unacceptable.”
Allies have become enemies
The fighting in Sudan is the result of a deep divide between the army and the paramilitary RSF, founded in 2013 by longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir, who was later overthrown jointly by the army and RSF.
Army chief al-Burhan and RSF leader Daglo have been allies since taking power in 2019, despite some tensions. In October 2021, both also led the military coup against civilian rule, halting the transition to internationally supported democracy.
Daglo, known as Hemeti, now considers the coup a mistake, while al-Burhan continues to insist. Heavy fighting broke out between the former allies on Saturday. Since then, according to the United Nations, numerous residents of the capital Khartoum have been trapped in their homes, many of them without electricity or running water. Food, gasoline and medicine were already running out.
According to a reporter from the dpa news agency, only a few stores were open on Thursday and the city’s markets were closed. In addition, the health system has virtually collapsed, the Sudanese Medical Committee said. According to eyewitnesses, the bodies lay in the streets of the capital. Welthungerhilfe warned of “a humanitarian tragedy”. The World Food Program (WFP) said millions of Sudanese could face hardship as a result of the current conflict.
Situation in Sudan: No army surrender
Tilo Spanhel, ARD Cairo, April 21, 2023 6:40 am