The Sudanese military has announced the successful breach of a nearly two-year blockade enforced by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the crucial southern state capital of el-Obeid.
This development occurred shortly after the RSF formalized a political agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, aimed at establishing a separate government in regions under its jurisdiction.
Since April 2023, the RSF and the army have been engaged in a brutal struggle for dominance, resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities and displacing millions.
The conflict has divided the nation, with the army maintaining control over the northern and eastern territories, while the RSF dominates much of the Darfur region in the west and parts of the south.
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, serves as a vital link between the capital, Khartoum, and Darfur. This recent military advancement follows the army’s reclaiming of several areas in Khartoum from the RSF.
Celebrations erupted in the streets as Sudanese troops entered the city. Military spokesperson Nabil Abdallah confirmed the army’s progress, stating that RSF units had been destroyed.
Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim described the development as a “significant milestone” in alleviating the RSF’s siege on el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province, and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Kordofan.
Sudanese civil society advocate Dallia Abdlemoniem remarked to reporters that the city’s recapture was “immense” and “noteworthy.” She highlighted that the RSF had effectively “held civilians captive for nearly two years” in el-Obeid, where conditions were “dire,” with a lack of medical and food supplies in an area deemed “extremely vulnerable to famine and malnutrition.” She expressed hope that increased aid would now be permitted.
The lifting of the siege has revitalized the city, according to Ahmed Hussein, a 53-year-old trader in el-Obeid, who spoke with the AFP news agency.
Ms. Abdelmoniem noted that the army is “making significant progress in advancing westward, where the RSF is primarily based.”
Both the army and the RSF have faced allegations of severe human rights violations against civilians during the conflict, leading to sanctions imposed by the United States on their leaders. Additionally, the RSF has been accused of committing genocide in Darfur, which both groups deny.
The recent hosting of the RSF by Kenya, as they attempted to establish a parallel government, drew criticism from various human rights organizations.
On Sunday, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef stated that his country would “not accept” any nation recognizing “a so-called parallel government.”
Previously, Sudan’s military government had issued a warning regarding potential retaliatory actions against Kenya and subsequently recalled its ambassador from Nairobi.
In response, Kenya’s foreign ministry asserted that there was “no ulterior motive” in “providing non-partisan platforms to conflict parties.”
