Sudan: Concern about escalating attacks after army airstrike kills over 270 people | DW News

Sudan Conflict: Army Gains, Civilian Casualties, and International Response

Key Concepts:

• Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)
• Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
• Absolute military victory
• External backers (UAE, Egypt)
• Arms embargo
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• UN Fact-Finding Mission
• Humanitarian crisis
• International aid/funding

1. Military Situation and Recent Developments:

• The Sudanese Army (SAF) has strengthened its position, claiming to have recaptured all of Khartoum. This is their strongest military position since the war began almost two years ago.
• SAF has been successful in pushing the RSF out of areas in Central and Eastern Sudan, including Gezira State, Wad Madani, White Nile, and Khartoum.
• The SAF seized control of Khartoum airport and the presidential palace.
• Despite these gains, the conflict is not nearing an end but entering a new phase of violence.

2. Escalation of Violence and Civilian Casualties:

• SAF launched intense airstrikes on a town in North Darfur called Tawila, resulting in a high number of civilian deaths.
• Reports indicate that upwards of 270 civilians were killed in Tawila due to SAF barrel bombs.
• Footage from North Darfur shows "bodies that are petrified in place because of the intensity of the barrel bombs."
• Both the SAF and RSF have been repeatedly accused of shelling civilian areas.
• An airstrike carried out by Sudan's Army hit a market in Darfur killing 270 people.
• The UN has expressed concern about escalating attacks on civilians, including attacks on a market in Darfur (dozens of casualties) and a mosque in eastern Khartoum (civilians killed and injured).
• Civilian casualties were also reported in Omdurman due to heavy shelling.

3. Goals of SAF and RSF:

• Both SAF and RSF are committed to securing an absolute military victory in Sudan.
• Neither side believes they have more to gain at the negotiating table.
• SAF aims to eradicate the RSF from all areas of control in Sudan.
• RSF believes they can gain territory and improve their negotiating position to secure a place in the future of Sudan.

4. The Role of External Actors:

• The International Community needs to target the external backers fueling the war.
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is funding the RSF.
• Egypt is a major backer of the Sudanese Armed Forces.
• Tightening the news and imposing sanctions on parties violating the Darfur arms embargo is crucial for advancing peace.

5. Justice and Accountability:

• The office of the public prosecutor in Sudan has launched mass criminal trials against alleged RSF collaborators.
• The fairness and impartiality of these trials are questionable.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating the situation in Darfur.
• The UN Fact-Finding Mission has a mandate to investigate atrocities across the country.
• Global aid cuts have negatively impacted the Sudanese documentation space, hindering the pursuit of justice and accountability.
• Donors need to restore funding to Sudanese documentation efforts and the humanitarian response.

6. Humanitarian Crisis and International Aid:

• International humanitarian organizations are struggling to respond to the world's largest humanitarian crisis and displacement crisis since World War II.
• The UN humanitarian appeal for Sudan is less than 7% funded.
• Lack of funding forces organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) to make difficult decisions about who receives life-saving assistance.
• The International Community is failing to provide adequate resources.
• The April 15th ministerial conference in London, co-sponsored by France and Germany, is an opportunity for international donors to step up and prioritize the protection of civilians in Sudan.

7. Notable Quotes:

• Shaina Lewis: "In the past few hours, we've actually seen reports that the Sudanese armed forces are claiming to have recaptured all of Khartoum. Now, this is the strongest military position that saf have been in since the outbreak of War almost two years ago."
• Shaina Lewis: "Footage of bodies that are petrified in place because of the intensity of the barrel bombs that saf dropped on the civilian Market."
• Shaina Lewis: "Unless there is a commitment to coming to the table and pursuing peace, we're going to see more atrocities across the country."
• Shaina Lewis: "For the International Community to actually make progress in Sudan, they really need to Target the external backers who are fueling and profiting from this war."
• Shaina Lewis: "We will not as a global Community continue to allow the rsf and saf to wage their War using the bodies of innocent civilians in Sudan."

8. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces): The national army of Sudan.
• RSF (Rapid Support Forces): A paramilitary group that has been fighting the SAF.
• Darfur Arms Embargo: An international ban on supplying weapons to the Darfur region of Sudan.
• Barrel Bombs: Improvised explosive devices dropped from aircraft, known for their indiscriminate and devastating impact.

9. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The situation in Sudan remains dire, with the SAF gaining military ground but at a significant cost to civilian lives. Both the SAF and RSF are committed to military victory, hindering peace negotiations. External actors are fueling the conflict, and the International Community needs to target these backers and enforce the arms embargo. The humanitarian crisis is worsening due to a severe lack of funding, and international donors must step up to provide aid and support justice and accountability efforts. The upcoming ministerial conference in London presents a crucial opportunity for the International Community to demonstrate its commitment to protecting civilians in Sudan.