Politics Sudan's head of state announces liberation of the capital Khartoum
Almost two years after the start of the civil war in Sudan, the military has recaptured the capital Khartoum, according to the government. "Khartoum has been liberated," said head of state Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, surrounded by cheering soldiers. "It's over," he said in the recently recaptured presidential palace.
26.03.2025, 19:59
SDA
Al-Burhan's claims of regaining control of the entire capital could not initially be independently confirmed. However, an advisor to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had previously admitted that the RSF had lost the palace, the airport and other parts of the city. The army had recently taken the capital piece by piece. Hundreds of RSF fighters fled the city, others were killed.
The militia continues to hold significant areas in the west of the country. On Monday, dozens of civilians were killed in an airstrike on RSF territory in North Darfur. Satellite images confirmed allegations by Sudanese groups that the army had bombed a market, reported the New York Times.
Rebels controlled large parts of Khartoum for two years
The RSF, led by former Vice President Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, had rebelled against al-Burhan in April 2023. The militia took control of large areas, including the center of the capital. The fighters are accused of looting, rape and killings. Al-Burhan's government retreated to the coastal town of Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
Peace not in sight
However, an end to the civil war in the country in north-east Africa is not in sight any time soon. The RSF are trying to establish a counter-government in the areas under their control. According to experts and diplomats, the militia is receiving support from the United Arab Emirates via the territory of neighboring Chad. Both countries deny this.
According to the United Nations, the power struggle in the country, which previously had a population of around 46 million, has triggered the world's largest humanitarian disaster. According to UN figures, 12.9 million people have been displaced. There are no official casualty figures. It is estimated that between 60,000 and 150,000 people have died as a result of direct violence as well as hunger and disease caused by the conflict.
