Why are Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces fighting each other?

Source: The post is based on the article “Why are Sudan’s army and paramilitary forces fighting each other?” published in Indian Express on 17th April 2023

What is the News?

At least 56 civilians have been killed and 595 people including combatants have been wounded in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, since fierce fighting broke out between the country’s army and paramilitary forces.

What is the cause of conflict in Sudan?

 The roots of the ongoing conflict in Sudan go back to April 2019, when Sudan’s long-serving authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown.He was overthrown by military generals following a countrywide uprising against him.

Despite Bashir’s ouster, civilians continued their demonstrations, seeking democratic elections and the establishment of a civilian government.

This led to the constitution of the Sovereignty Council, a power-sharing body of military officers and civilians.This council would lead Sudan to elections at the end of 2023 and Abdalla Hamdok was appointed Prime Minister for the transitional period

However, the military overthrew Hamdok’s government in October 2021.The military announced that it would hold power until elections are held in July 2023.

Soon after this coup, relations between the military and the RSF deteriorated. (RSF was founded by Bashir to crush a rebellion in Darfur that began more than 20 years ago due to the political and economic marginalization of the local people by Sudan’s central government.The RSF has been accused of widespread atrocities).

One of the main sticking points between the military and RSF is over the plans to include the 100,000-strong RSF into the army and who would then lead the new force.

The violence erupted as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country in a move that the army saw as a threat.

What’s at stake in the Sudan conflict?

Sudan is in a volatile region bordering the Red Sea, the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa. 

Its strategic location and agricultural wealth have attracted regional power plays, complicating the chances of a successful transition to civilian-led government.

Western powers fear the potential for a Russian base on the Red Sea, which Sudanese military leaders have expressed openness to.