[ad_1]
(CNN) At least three people have died after years of tension between the Sudanese army and militias erupted into open fighting.
Witnesses reported clashes around the presidential palace and army headquarters in the capital Khartoum.
The paramilitary Emergency Support Force (RSF) said it controlled the presidential palace and several airports.
of The group said it was responding to a surprise attack from the military on one of their bases.
However, Sudan’s military leader said “all” strategic military sites are under military control.
Abdel Fatah al-Burhan said in a statement that “no one can enter the Army General Headquarters and all strategic sites are under control.”
The Sudanese army said it was fighting the RSF in Khartoum, accusing the group of a “treasonous conspiracy” against the country.
The Sudan Doctors’ Union has documented at least three civilian deaths in the clashes.
Meanwhile, a medical official at a hospital in central Khartoum told CNN on Saturday afternoon that the hospital had received dozens of wounded civilians and military personnel in the past few hours.
The military has been in charge of Sudan since a 2021 coup, ending a power-sharing pact formed after the long-running downfall of former president Omar al-Bashir.
Talks are underway to integrate the RSF into the military as part of the move to restore civilian rule, but sources told CNN there is tension over senior partners in the merger.
International Demands ‘Immediate Ceasefire’
There is a widespread call for calm during a period of volatility and uncertainty.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the outbreak of fighting.
He called on the RSF and Sudanese military leaders to “immediately cease hostilities, restore calm and initiate dialogue to resolve the current crisis. It will have a devastating impact on the world and exacerbate an already fragile humanitarian system.” country situation. ”
The African Union also issued a statement urging “political and military parties to find a just political solution to the crisis”.
Sudan’s National Umma Party has made a similar petition. The Islamist parties shared a statement containing a list of points directed at both leaders, including an “immediate ceasefire at all sites of hostilities” and the return of both sides to their “previous positions before the clash”.
The US ambassador to Sudan said it was evacuated amid clashes in the capital.
Ambassador John Godfrey tweeted, “I just arrived in Khartoum late last night and was awakened by the very unpleasant sounds of gunfire and fighting.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken said the situation in Khartoum was “fragile” when asked for comment by reporters at a press conference in Vietnam.
“Khartoum’s main political parties reached a very important framework agreement a few weeks ago on how to proceed with the transition to civilian government, and there has been real progress in their attempts to move it forward. It was done,” Brinken said on Saturday.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
[ad_2]
Source link
