Sudanese military urges youth, others to join fight against rival militias

Cairo – The Sudanese military on Monday called on young people and others with fighting ability to join the nearest military command to fight rival militias.

Sudan was thrown into chaos on April 15 when fighting broke out between forces led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan and rapid-relief forces of militias led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Since then, more than 3,000 people have been killed and about 2.5 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations, the country’s health ministry said. The actual death toll is believed to be higher.

“Army division and regional commanders have been instructed to receive and equip fighter aircraft and must travel to the nearest military headquarters or unit,” the military said on its official Facebook page on Monday morning.

Monday’s declaration of war comes just days after Mr. Burhan made a largely similar appeal in a televised address, calling on Sudanese youth and those capable of fighting “from their places of residence or by participating in military campaigns.” ” asked to support the military.

It remains unclear whether Monday’s call to arms was a forced draft.

In the capital, Khartoum, RSF forces appear to have the upper hand on the streets of the city, looting civilian homes throughout the capital and turning them into bases. Throughout the 10-week conflict, the military retaliated with airstrikes, hitting residential areas and sometimes hospitals.

West Darfur is experiencing the worst of the violence. In a report released two weeks ago by the Dar Masalit Sultanate, the leader of Africa’s Masalit ethnic community, he said the RSF and Arab militias had “perpetrated genocide against African civilians.” There is,” he complained. He estimated that more than 5,000 people had been killed in the state capital of Genena in the past two months.

Several rounds of peace talks hosted by Riyadh and the US in the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah have all but broken down, with mediators from both sides openly accusing the RSF and military of continuing to violate a ceasefire agreement brokered by the two countries.

At least nine ceasefires have been agreed since the conflict began. None lasted long.