Sudan’s army has announced the retaking of the state broadcaster headquarters in Omdurman, situated just across the Nile from Khartoum, marking a significant symbolic victory in the ongoing 11-month civil conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Since the outbreak of fighting, the RSF has maintained control over the headquarters. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of eight million people, with warnings of escalating hunger. Videos circulating on social media depict soldiers rejoicing outside the broadcaster’s premises. The army hailed the capture as a “major victory.” Despite seizing the building last April, the RSF was unable to broadcast from it, and state television continued airing pro-army content from elsewhere in the country. Throughout the war, the army and the RSF have vied for control over Khartoum and surrounding areas. Despite calls from the United Nations Security Council for a Ramadan ceasefire, intense fighting persists in various parts of the capital.
The recapture of the radio headquarters is seen as a substantial blow to the RSF, as they had utilized it as a stronghold. The conflict, which stemmed from a dispute between Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo over a civilian rule transition plan, has resulted in widespread displacement, destruction in Khartoum, a humanitarian crisis, and ethnically motivated violence in Darfur. Despite numerous international efforts to broker a ceasefire, none have succeeded.