By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Assassination Attempt Linked to Rapid Support Forces Amid Intensifying Conflict.
Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, has survived an assassination attempt, according to an army spokesperson. Nabil Abdallah attributed the attack to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which the military has been engaged with in a 16 month conflict for control of the country.
Abdallah reported that two drones struck an army graduation ceremony, killing five individuals at a base in Jabait, located in the east, a region under military control. The RSF has not commented on the attack, which follows an agreement by Burhan’s government to conditionally join US mediated peace talks next month. Previous attempts at negotiations to end the conflict, which has led to one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, have failed due to both sides not honoring their commitments.
More than 10 million people have been displaced since the former allies clashed over a political plan supported internationally to transition towards civilian rule. The Jabait army base, approximately 100km (62 miles) from Port Sudan where General Burhan is based, was the target of the recent attack. Footage from the ceremony on Wednesday morning shows military graduates marching before the sound of a strike interrupts the event.
"The only party that is hostile to the Sudanese people and targeting the Sudanese people is the rebel Rapid Support Forces," Abdallah stated. He expressed gratitude that General Burhan and other commanders were unharmed and that there were not many major injuries.
The Beja people, residing between the mountains and the Red Sea coast, have had a contentious relationship with the central government for decades, often feeling ignored and marginalized. Although these communities sometimes have internal conflicts, they generally support General Burhan despite grievances about rising living costs in Port Sudan due to the influx of people fleeing the capital, Khartoum.
Both the army and RSF possess drones, which have been extensively utilized in the conflict. There have also been recent allegations of discord within the military itself. Some analysts recall an incident during Ramadan in April when commanders from the Abaraa Iban Malik military brigade were killed by drone strikes in Atbara. It is suggested that this brigade, considered hard line Islamists opposed to peace talks, may have been targeted by more moderate military elements. However, others believe the RSF has been increasingly using drones to target army controlled areas.
According to Reuters, the RSF controls eight of Sudan's 18 state capitals, including Khartoum, and is expanding into the southeast. On Tuesday, the Sudanese foreign affairs ministry requested a meeting with US officials ahead of the talks scheduled to begin in Geneva on August 14. The RSF accepted the US invitation shortly after it was proposed last week.
