Heavy smoke billows above buildings in the vicinity of the Khartoum airport on 15 April 2023, amid clashes in the Sudanese capital. Picture: AFP
As fighting between rival forces rages on in Sudan’s capital Khartoum and surrounds, Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela has urged everyone including diplomats to stay indoors.
The paramilitary support forces and the Sudanese army have clashed in the capital and other parts of the country after disagreements between Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Despite a ceasefire between the two generals which was supposed to kick in at 6pm on Tuesday night, the fighting continues.
The fighting broke out after bitter disagreements between Burhan and Daglo over the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army — a key condition for a final deal aimed at ending a crisis since the 2021 coup, which derailed a transition to democracy.
More than 270 people have been killed and thousand injured.
Monyela has urged people not venture out in the streets.
“The SA embassy like all others are not operational. The streets are dangerous. There’s intense fighting including airstrikes. Civilians have been killed. For now, we advise everyone to stay indoors. All options are being explored to assist our nationals. We don’t need drama pls.
“Airport is closed. The embassy will only know if you’re in a particular country if you let them know. We always make this call. Government has previously evacuated nationals from similar situations once conditions allow. We’re on it,” Monyela said.
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Monyela said South Africa has called for peace and calm among the parties involved in the conflict, in keeping with the AU objective of silencing the guns on the continent.
“South Africa appeals to the different factions of the Sudanese army to immediately cease all fighting, spare the Sudanese people any further violence during this holy month of Ramadan and immediately return to the negotiation table, to agree on a sustainable military and security sector reform programme, as part of the Final Agreement towards the restoration of a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.”
“The situation in Sudan is disturbing as it affects ordinary people who have suffered from instability in the country over a prolonged period,” Monyela said.
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