CAIRO — The military forces of Sudan, along with their allies, have successfully reclaimed the crucial city of Wad Medani from the rebel group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to officials on Saturday. This development marks a significant setback for the RSF, which has faced allegations from the United States of carrying out genocidal actions amid the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
Wad Medani, which serves as the capital of Gezira province, had been under RSF control for over a year. Throughout the initial phases of the conflict, it had also acted as a refuge for families displaced by the violence.
The civil war in Sudan ignited back in April 2023 when underlying tensions between military leaders and the RSF erupted into widespread conflict in Khartoum and other locations throughout the vast northeastern African nation. Tragically, the ongoing strife has claimed over 28,000 lives, driven millions from their homes, and forced some families to resort to eating grass in a dire struggle for survival as famine grips parts of the country. Reports from the United Nations and human rights organizations detail grave acts of violence, including targeted killings and sexual assault. The International Criminal Court has announced it is investigating potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in the region.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration characterized the actions of the RSF and its affiliates as genocidal and imposed sanctions on the RSF’s commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, alongside several RSF-linked businesses based in the United Arab Emirates. These businesses include one believed to manage gold that may have been illicitly exported from Sudan.
According to a statement from the military, their forces entered Wad Medani on Saturday morning, indicating their intention to eliminate any remaining RSF presence within the city.
“Congratulations to the Armed Forces, their supportive units, and our citizens as they restore dignity, security, and stability,” the statement declared.
As of yet, the RSF has not publicly responded to these developments. Kahlid Aleiser, the Minister of Culture and Information, who also serves as the spokesperson for the government, described the military’s action in Wad Medani as a “liberation,” noting that the city is situated approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Khartoum.
Videos shared on social media by soldiers appeared to show military personnel celebrating with local residents in the city center. One video captured jubilant crowds taking to the streets in celebration of the city’s “liberation,” chanting “Allah is Great.”
Since the RSF’s capture of Wad Medani in December 2023, a significant number of individuals have been forced to evacuate their homes in and around the area.
In recent months, the RSF has faced several military defeats, allowing the national army to gain the upper hand in the conflict. The RSF has lost control in various parts of Khartoum, as well as in Omdurman, a city closely associated with the capital, and in multiple eastern and central regions.
The war has precipitated an enormous displacement crisis, resulting in over 14 million people—around 30% of Sudan’s population—being forced from their residences, according to data from the United Nations. About 3.2 million individuals have fled to neighboring nations such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.
Famine conditions have been reported in at least five regions, which also includes three camps for displaced individuals in Darfur. This information comes from the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC), which further projected that five additional areas might see famine within the coming six months, with more regions at risk.
