Civil War: Sudan's Political Turmoil and It's Solution

The Islamic Republic of Sudan, one of the Northeast African country that has been  experiencing decades of political turmoil, conflict, and civil war. The Sudan's complex history is marked by political instability, ethnic, religious crisis and economic challenges.

In history, one of the most significant things in Sudan's conflicts and civil wars were the 2nd Sudanese Civil War, which lasted 22 years from 1983 to 2005. This war was fought between the coaliation of Sudanese government, led by the Arab-dominated National Islamic Front, and various rebel groups, including the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M), the represented marginalised groups in the south of the country, who sought greater political representation and independence.

The conflict was characterised by brutal violence, consists widespread human rights abuses, displacement of millions of people mostly women and children and famine. It is estimated that over two million people lost their lives in the war, and many were displaced and forced to flee their homes and families.

The conflict was resolved in 2005 through the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which resulted in the creation of break away state South Sudan by given them the right to vote on whether to become independent. In 2011, South Sudan officially granted independence from Sudan, this was the end of this conflict.

However, in spite of these resolution and peace agreements, Sudan's political situation has continued to worsen since then. In 2019 internal and popular uprising arose, which led to the ousting of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled the country since 1989. However, since then the political atmosphere in the country remains unstable, with ongoing violence and protests, particularly in the Darfur region in the west of the country, where conflicts between government forces and rebel groups continue to occur. This was the beginning of new civil war in the Republic of Sudan, it started but no one will predict how and when it will end. Our hope and prayers to the people of Sudan that may almighty Allah bring peace and harmony soon.

Why Omar Albashir was toppled?

The long term serving Sudan's president was Omar al-Bashir retired military and politician was toppled from power in Sudan in 2019 as a result of months of widespread protests that began in December 2018. The protests were sparked by rising prices, economic hardship, and a deprived political freedoms in the country. The protests quickly grew in size and spread very much to the country, with demonstrators started calling for al-Bashir's resignation and an end to his authoritarian regime.

Al-Bashir had been in power for 34 years in Sudan since 1989 when he came to power in a military coup. His regime was characterised by repression, corruption, and human rights abuses, and he was indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes in Darfur against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.

The protests that began in December 2018 accused of violent crackdown of laws by the security forces, reports of widespread human rights abuses, killing of protesters, torture, and rampant detentions of protesters. Thus, the protests continued to grow, with millions of people taking to the streets across the country.

After months of protests in April, 2019, the military toppled Al-Bashir from power in a coup, and a transitional military council took over the affairs of the country. Moreover, the protests continued, demonstrators calling for a democratic government and greater political freedoms.

A power-sharing agreement after months of negotiations was reached between the military and civilian groups in August 2019, paving the way for a transition to civilian rule. A transitional government was established, with Abdallah Hamdok nominated as the prime minister, and Sudan began a process of political and economic reforms. These reforms are now facing challenges, an attempted coup broke away the peace of Sudan in the last two weeks.

What cause 15th April 2023 Civil War In Sudan?

On 15th April, 2023, Sudanese woke up in turmoil following a bloody day as a result of armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan and Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out across the country especially the capital city Khartoum and Darfur region for an attempted coup by (RSF) as a result of an attempt by government to incorporate RSF army into the Sudanese National Army. But the coup failed.

The Sudanese armed forces supported by Egyptian government headed by Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan with strength of 110,000-120,000 forces while Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) supported by Libyan National Army (denied) and Wagner Group (denied by RSF & Wagner) headed by Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo with strength of 70,000-150,000 forces. Before now, both the two leaders were friends, the Sudan National Army invited RSF to help them over thrown Omar Hassan Albashir in April, 2019.

For almost nine days of this civil war over 420 people were killed and 3700 were injured or seriously wounded. And 200 Egyptian servicemen captured by the RSF. Since the beginning of the conflict foreign countries started evacuation of their nationals including USA, Britain, France and others were making effort to do so as the violence in the country continued to be erupting daily basis and no sign of possible negotiations prompt.

The war began with attacks on government key sites by the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including airstrikes, heavy gunfire and artilleries were reported across Khartoum. Both the two parties claiming control of some key government sites including capital city military heaquaters, International Airport, presidential palace, president's official residence and headquarters of Sudan National Broadcasting Corporation.

But the majority of the key areas of the country were controlled by the rival group RSF and other part of the country is controlled by the government.

May almighty Allah bring peace and blessings to mankind and protect mankind from the devil's control. Let the peace reign!

What is the solution to this conflict?

In any dispute there is need of negotiation which will help to bring waring factions to negotiation tables. This has to do with African country, there is need for the African Union (AU) and Arab Union to intervene before involving United Nations (UN). Africa countries like Nigeria and other powerful African leaders to call on them into order and envoys need to be sent to both the parties call them to embrace peace. In Arabs, Saudi Arabia, the powerful country in the region has some important role to play by forcing them to embrace peace since they are Arabs like them. They are all Muslims and fight against each is prohibited especially when the war started during Ramadan period.

However, the is need for the African regional governments to warn and sanction those supporting the two parties with arms and equipments. And the leaders should work immensely to bring Sudan back to democratic regime by involving all in government and governance. 

If anyone of them commit war crime, should be taking to international criminal court in Hague. May the peace reign in Africa and the world. Amin

References:

"Sudan: How the revolution unseated President Bashir," BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47998833

"Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir ousted in military coup," The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/11/sudanese-president-omar-al-bashir-ousted-in-military-coup

"Sudan: Timeline of events leading up to transition deal," Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/8/4/sudan-timeline-of-events-leading-up-to-transition-deal

"Sudan's Civil Wars," Council on Foreign Relations, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/sudans-civil-wars

"Sudan's History and Conflicts," BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14094995

"Sudan," Amnesty International, https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/africa/sudan/