The Sudanese army has achieved a critical breakthrough by lifting a nearly two-year siege imposed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the crucial southern state capital of el-Obeid. This development comes shortly after the RSF’s signing of a political charter in Nairobi, Kenya, aimed at establishing a separate government in the territories it controls.
Since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, the RSF and the Sudanese army have been locked in a fierce struggle for dominance, leading to tens of thousands of fatalities and displacing millions of civilians. The ongoing conflict has effectively divided the country, with the army maintaining control over the northern and eastern regions while the RSF dominates much of Darfur in the west and parts of the south.
Strategic significance of el-Obeid
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, serves as a vital hub linking Khartoum to the Darfur region. The recent military advances mark a continuation of the army’s efforts to regain territory, particularly following the recapture of significant areas in Khartoum from RSF forces. As Sudanese soldiers paraded through the city, celebrations erupted on the streets.
Military spokesman Nabil Abdallah confirmed the army’s progress, stating that their forces had successfully destroyed RSF units. Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim hailed the development as a “massive step” toward alleviating the RSF’s blockade on el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which would facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to Kordofan.
Humanitarian implications and civil society response
Sudanese civil society activist Dallia Abdlemoniem described the recapture of el-Obeid as “huge” and “significant,” emphasizing the dire circumstances faced by civilians during the RSF’s prolonged control. “The situation was horrific,” she remarked, pointing out the absence of medical and food supplies in an area grappling with the threats of famine and malnutrition. Abdlemoniem expressed hope that the lifting of the siege would now allow for the influx of much-needed aid.
“Lifting the siege brings life back to the city,”
said Ahmed Hussein, a 53-year-old trader in el-Obeid, highlighting the positive impact this military victory could have on daily life.
Despite the army’s recent successes, the ongoing violence in regions like el-Fasher has compelled medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to suspend operations at the nearby Zamzam camp, which is currently home to about 500,000 displaced individuals. MSF characterized this suspension as a “heartbreaking decision” made in light of the escalating dangers faced by its staff.
Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have faced accusations of committing severe atrocities against civilians throughout the conflict, with their leading figures facing sanctions from the United States. The RSF has particularly been implicated in genocide allegations in Darfur, both entities denying these serious accusations.
The recent hosting of the RSF in Kenya as they sought to form a parallel government drew criticism from various human rights organizations. In response to these developments, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef stated that the country would “not accept” any recognition of a “so-called parallel government,” and expressed the military government’s intent to retaliate against Kenya, which has since culminated in the recalling of its ambassador from Nairobi. The Kenyan Foreign Ministry countered that its actions were devoid of any ulterior motives, aiming to provide a neutral platform for conflicting parties.