Clashes reignite between Sudanese army, RSF in South Darfur
May 18, 2023 (NYALA) – Clashes resumed on Thursday between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in the capital of South Darfur state, ending a truce mediated by local leaders between the two parties several weeks ago.
“The clashes erupted after army soldiers received their salaries from the Central Bank of Sudan branch in Nyala. The RSF rejected what they perceived as unequal treatment,” local security sources told Sudan Tribune.
The sources pointed out that a bloody clash took place near the state’s central bank premises. The fighting subsequently spread to other neighbourhoods in Nyala.
Earlier, on April 17, Al-Burhan issued a decision to dissolve the Rapid Support Forces, citing their rebellion against the state. He called on its members to join the national army.
In another decision on May 14, he froze the RSF accounts with an exception for the salaries of the militiamen who joined the army.
Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that several houses near the command of the 16th Infantry Division were damaged due to heavy weapons targeting the army headquarters in Nyala.
On Thursday morning, the army deployed a significant number of soldiers, securing strategic locations such as the main city market, the Central Bank of Sudan premises, and the 16th Infantry Division headquarters.
On April 15, Nyala following the eruption of fighting in southern Khartoum, Nyala witnessed bloody clashes between the army and the RSF that claimed the lives of more than 60 people.
Traditional leaders and commanders of armed groups, signatory to the Juba peace agreement brokered a cessation of hostilities between the warring parties.
As per the agreement, the city was divided into two parts: the western direction, controlled by the army, included the armed forces leadership, government secretariat, ministries, and the main market; while the Rapid Support Forces controlled the eastern direction, including Nyala International Airport, the Western Region Command, and the General Intelligence Service.
According to this deal, the city was divided into two parts, the western part where are located the command of the armed forces, the state governor premises, ministries and the main market is under the control of the army. While the RSF control the eastern part where is Nyala International Airport and the General Intelligence Service.
On Monday, about 80 tribes residing in South Darfur state signed a document for peace and coexistence, pledging to renounce violence and reject war, and urging the army and rapid support to abide by the ceasefire.
The death toll since the start of the clashes has reached 833, while the number of civilian injuries stands at 3,329, according to the latest report by the Steering Committee of Sudan Doctors’ Trade Union.