On Monday, the fighting in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continued and at least 100 civilian deaths were recorded as the intensity of gunfire and explosions rose.
Fears of a wider battle in the region have been stoked by the violent power struggle between the two most powerful generals in the nation, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s de facto leader, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
They collaborated on a military coup that was staged just 18 months prior in order to thwart Sudan’s democratic transition. However, as part of the preparations to restore civilian governance, they are now at odds over how the RSF will be incorporated into the military and who would have final control over fighters and weaponry.
As smoke hovered over the city and residents reported hearing airstrikes, artillery fire, and shooting that disrupted hospitals and essential services on Monday, both sides in the conflict for Khartoum claimed to have made progress.
Both sides have not demonstrated any desire to make concessions as diplomatic efforts to cease the violence escalate and the African Union and Arab States urge for an end to hostilities.
On Monday, the United Nations Security Council was scheduled to debate the circumstance, and its Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has vehemently denounced the start of hostilities.
“I appeal to the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to immediately cease hostilities, restore calm, and begin a dialogue to resolve the crisis,” he said.
“The situation has already led to horrendous loss of life, including many civilians. Any further escalation could be devastating for the country and the region.”
As fighting continued on Monday near the main military headquarters in the capital, students and staff at the nearby Khartoum University remained trapped in the engineering college library.
“It is our third day trapped in the university. We are around 88 people. The situation is very hectic. The fighting started again and it is continuous. Last night there were clashes that resulted in the death of one student,” said a student in a video posted online.
Meanwhile, the army has taken control of state television, broadcasting images and statements in which it claims to have regained ground in many places.
Since Saturday, Sudanese in the capital have been barricading themselves in their homes wondering when electricity, running water, and peace will return to the city.