Heavy clashes rock Sudan’s capital as conflict enters 2nd month

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA): Heavy clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rocked the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday, according to residents.

Sounds of artillery shelling were heard in several neighborhoods. Armed clashes were also reported in Kadro district, 25 kilometres (15 miles) away from Khartoum.

There were no reports yet of casualties.

Last week, the United Nations said that around 200,000 Sudanese have crossed the border into neighboring countries to escape the fighting.

On May 11, the rivals signed a declaration of commitment to protect civilians after a week of talks in Saudi Arabia.

A disagreement had been fomenting in recent months between the Sudanese army and the RSF over the latter’s integration into the armed forces, a key condition of Sudan’s transition agreement with political groups.

Sudan has been without a functioning government since October 2021, when the military dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s transitional government and declared a state of emergency in a move decried by political forces as a “coup.”

Sudan’s transitional period, which started in August 2019 after the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir, had been scheduled to end with elections in early 2024.