*# Sudan Descends into Chaos as Military Factions Battle for Control*

Sudan, a country that was once seen as a symbol of hope for democracy in Africa, has become embroiled in an intense battle for power, with fighting breaking out across the capital of Khartoum and several other cities. This sudden spiral into chaos follows months of rising tensions between rival factions of the military, which has now erupted into all-out warfare.

As of Saturday night, it is unclear who holds control of Sudan, a strategically important country that borders Egypt. The situation is raising alarms, with reports of explosions and warplanes screeching over rooftops as people cower in their homes. An internal U.N. report has cited about 27 dead and 400 injured, as clashes at a military base in Khartoum have spread to key locations like the presidential palace, international airport, and the state broadcaster.

This conflict marks a stark turn for a country that was an inspiration to both Africa and the Arab world only four years ago. The peaceful and largely bloodless protests saw the ouster of their widely-detested 30-year ruler, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

However, the revolution faltered 18 months ago when Sudan’s two most powerful generals, who are now fighting each other, united to seize power in a coup. Pro-democracy protesters refused to back down, continuing to lose their lives in demonstrations, and the fate of Sudan remained a preoccupation of Western countries, notably the United States.

The conflict at hand is being closely watched by international powers, including the U.S., Russia, and China. Sudan has become a flashpoint in the wider global rivalry between the West and Russia, with the Kremlin-backed private military company Wagner deploying mercenaries to Sudan and running a major gold mining concession in the country. The Russian government has also urged Sudan to allow Russian warships to dock at its Red Sea ports.

Sudan’s military, which has struggled to rule effectively, was supposed to hand back power to civilian leaders this month, as part of a Western-backed deal. Any hopes for a peaceful transition were shattered early Saturday when strained relations between the two most powerful military leaders turned violent.

The chaos has escalated, with clashes reported in at least six cities outside the capital, including the western Darfur region that has been the site of brutal civil conflict for much of the past two decades. This violence could draw in Sudan’s neighbors, with Chad announcing the closure of its border until further notice.

Egypt has openly sided with Sudan’s military as tensions have risen. General Hamdan’s forces posted a video on Saturday from a military base in Meroe, 125 miles north of Khartoum, showing recently captured Egyptian soldiers. In a statement, Egypt’s military confirmed it had troops in Sudan, and said it was coordinating with Sudanese authorities to ensure their welfare.

The situation remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of starting the fighting and claiming to control key positions in the capital. The internet and television services are still operating, which is allowing the warring military generals to issue verbal salvos as their troops continue to clash on the ground.

The mayhem has been a major blow to the diplomatic efforts of American, United Nations, African Union, and Arab officials who had been working towards a peaceful resolution. The situation is raising alarms for civilians and government officials alike, with many people feeling like the country is on the brink of tumbling into a civil war.

The latest clashes undermine the efforts of all of the Sudanese people who went into the streets to fight for democracy during the 2019 popular uprising. It is a heartbreaking feeling for a population that was hoping for a brighter future.

*## What’s Behind the Conflict in Sudan?*

Sudan has a long history of military takeovers, but none have involved such intensive combat between rival wings of the armed forces in the center of the capital. The current fighting is a result of months of rising tensions between the two most powerful generals in the military. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief, and Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, the commander of the powerful Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries, have been at odds for a while.

Under a Western-backed deal signed in December, the two generals were supposed to return power to a civilian-led government, reversing the 2021 coup. However, any handover required an agreement regarding how quickly they would merge their forces, which was a source of burning disagreement.

Diplomats involved in the talks said some senior officers wanted a unified army in two years. General Hamdan insisted it would take at least 10 years. In recent months, he forged an unlikely alliance with a coalition of civilian political parties, including groups that once came under attack by his troops. But at the same time, his war of words with General al-Burhan grew steadily more intense.

*## The Broader Impact of the Sudan Conflict*

The situation in Sudan is being watched closely by international powers like the United States, Russia, and China. Sudan has become a flashpoint in the wider global rivalry between the West and Russia, with the Kremlin-backed private military company Wagner deploying mercenaries to Sudan and running a major gold mining concession in the country. The Russian government has also urged Sudan to allow Russian warships to dock at its Red Sea ports.

The conflict could have an even broader impact, drawing in Sudan’s neighbors. The border with Chad, which shares a 600-mile border with Sudan, much of it abutting Darfur, has been closed until further notice. Egypt has openly sided with Sudan’s military, and there are concerns about the escalation of violence in the region.

The situation has also been a significant blow to the diplomatic efforts of the U.S., United Nations, African Union, and Arab officials who have been working to ensure a peaceful transition of power. The latest clashes undermine the efforts of all of the Sudanese people who went into the streets to fight for democracy during the 2019 popular uprising.

*## Conclusion*

The current conflict in Sudan marks a significant setback for a country that was once seen as a symbol of hope for democracy in Africa. Months of rising tensions between rival factions of the military have now erupted into all-out warfare, leaving civilians in fear of their lives and the fate of the country uncertain.

International powers are watching closely, with Russia, China, and the United States all having a stake in the country. The broader impact of the violence is also a concern, with Sudan’s neighbors at risk of being drawn into the conflict.

Despite the hopes of a peaceful transition of power, it seems that Sudan is now in the midst of a bitter power struggle. The situation is raising alarms for civilians and government officials alike and begs the question of what the future holds for this once-promising nation.

*## FAQs*

1. What started the conflict in Sudan?

The current conflict in Sudan stems from months of rising tensions between rival factions of the military.

2. Who is involved in the conflict in Sudan?

The conflict involves two powerful generals in Sudan’s military: General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief, and Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, the commander of the powerful Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries.

3. What’s the broader impact of the Sudan conflict?

The conflict is being closely watched by international powers like the United States, Russia, and China. Sudan has become a flashpoint in the wider global rivalry between the West and Russia, and there are concerns that the violence could draw in Sudan’s neighbors.

4. How has the conflict affected the diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation?

The mayhem has been a major blow to the diplomatic efforts of American, United Nations, African Union, and Arab officials who had been working towards a peaceful resolution.

5. What does the future hold for Sudan?

The situation is raising alarms for civilians and government officials alike, and it is uncertain what the future holds for this once-promising nation.