Sudan’s Civil War at Possible Turning Point as Army Reclaims Key Region
Sudan’s near two-year civil war may be approaching a critical turning point as the Sudanese Army has regained control of El Gezira, a region previously occupied by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The development marks a significant shift in the conflict that began in April 2023, following tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF over the integration of their forces.
On Sunday, jubilant celebrations erupted across Sudan as news of the army’s victory spread. “We are so happy, we can’t express ourselves,” said one woman in the streets of Khartoum, as soldiers fired into the air in celebration. “A whole year we have been squeezed, we haven’t been able to breathe.”
The civil war has caused widespread devastation, displacing over 12 million people and creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Almost half of Sudan’s population now faces hunger, while millions have been forced from their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring countries or within Sudan itself.
The RSF’s occupation of El Gezira, a fertile state in central Sudan, had turned the region into a hotbed of violence and famine risks. Violent raids on tight-knit villages, the destruction of fields, and the burning of crops have pushed the area to the brink of starvation. Residents and eyewitnesses have reported that the region’s once-thriving agricultural communities have been decimated by the conflict.
While the RSF denies accusations of war crimes, it claims to be fighting rogue elements that are responsible for the abuses. The army’s recapture of El Gezira is seen as pivotal in its broader strategy to undermine the RSF’s supply lines, which run through the capital, Khartoum, and the eastern part of the country controlled by the army. However, the RSF still holds much of the capital, complicating efforts to secure a nationwide ceasefire.
The army’s regained foothold in El Gezira is seen as an important step in its push to retake other regions controlled by the RSF and to assert its dominance in the ongoing struggle for control of Sudan. The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but the road to lasting peace remains uncertain, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
