The situation in Sudan has escalated into heavy fighting, which could lead to prolonged strife across the country. Sudan is already dealing with economic breakdown and tribal violence, and the recent violence has been condemned by the international community. The conflict is between the armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and it has resulted in gunfire and blasts in Khartoum.
The fighting is taking place in several key locations, including the airport, military bases, the presidential palace, and the residence of the army chief. The United States has called for calm and urged the military leaders to stop the fighting. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the situation in Sudan was “fragile” but insisted that there was still an opportunity to complete a transition to a civilian-led government. Blinken alleged that some actors “may be pushing against that progress”.
The US Ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey, said on Twitter that he was “currently sheltering in place with the Embassy team, as Sudanese throughout Khartoum and elsewhere are doing”. He added that the escalation of tensions within the military component to direct fighting was extremely dangerous, and he urged senior military leaders to stop the fighting.
The UK embassy in Sudan has advised its nationals there to remain indoors. The embassy is closely monitoring the situation in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan where there are ongoing military clashes. The embassy has advised all British nationals in Sudan to remain indoors and follow their travel advice for more updates.
Russia’s embassy in Sudan has expressed concern over the escalation of violence in the country and called for a ceasefire and negotiations. The embassy said that the atmosphere in Khartoum was tense but Russian diplomats were safe.
Egypt has expressed grave concern over the ongoing clashes in Sudan and called on all parties to exercise restraint. The Saudi government has also expressed deep concern over the escalation and heavy fighting in Sudan. It called on the warring factions to choose dialogue over conflict.
The UN’s special envoy for Sudan, Volker Perthes, has strongly condemned the eruption of fighting in the country and urged an immediate halt to the violence. Perthes has reached out to both parties asking them for an immediate cessation of fighting to ensure the safety of the Sudanese people.
European Union foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell has called on all forces involved to stop the violence in Sudan immediately. He said in a tweet that all EU staff in the country were safe and accounted for.
The situation in Sudan is extremely concerning, and the international community is calling for an immediate end to the violence. The conflict could lead to prolonged strife across the country, which is already dealing with economic breakdown and tribal violence. It is crucial that all parties involved choose dialogue over conflict to ensure the safety of the Sudanese people.