Sudanese Paramilitaries Claim Control of Key Army Garrison in Darfur

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful Sudanese paramilitary group, announced on Wednesday that it had successfully captured the army headquarters in El Fasher, a strategic city in the western region of Darfur. This development marks a significant milestone for the RSF, as El Fasher was the last major stronghold of the Sudanese army in the region, and its capture paves the way for the RSF to assert its control over the vast and troubled territory.

The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan, has been embroiled in a power struggle with the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, for several months. The conflict has resulted in widespread violence and displacement, with thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire.

The capture of El Fasher is a major blow to the Sudanese army, which has been struggling to maintain its presence in Darfur. The region has been plagued by conflict and instability since 2003, when a rebel uprising sparked a brutal response from the Sudanese government and its allied militias.

The RSF’s claim of control over El Fasher is likely to raise concerns among international observers, who have been monitoring the situation in Sudan closely. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Darfur, where civilians are facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical care.

The RSF’s advances in Darfur come as Sudan teeters on the brink of a wider conflict, with the paramilitary group and the army locked in a bitter struggle for power. The situation on the ground remains volatile, with reports of clashes and human rights abuses emerging daily.

As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, the international community is calling for restraint and a return to negotiations. The African Union and other regional organizations have urged the parties to the conflict to engage in talks, in a bid to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, with the RSF now in control of El Fasher, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to stem the violence and bring stability to the troubled region.