In Wad Madani, the capital of Sudan’s El Gezira state, there was a jubilant atmosphere as civilians and soldiers celebrated the recapture of the city by the Sudanese army from the paramilitary Rapid Support Services. This victory marked a potential turning point in the devastating near two-year civil war that had plagued the region.
“People couldn’t contain their joy,” exclaimed a woman on Sunday, amidst the sound of gunfire and cheers filling the streets. “For a whole year, we felt trapped and suffocated. We couldn’t breathe.”
The conflict had its roots in the integration dispute between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Services (RSF), leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. More than 12 million people were displaced, and half the population faced severe food shortages.
The RSF’s occupation of El Gezira had transformed the once fertile region into a potential famine zone. Violent raids had emptied villages, leaving fields barren or set ablaze, according to residents and witnesses.
While the RSF denied allegations of wrongdoing, claiming to target rogue elements, the army’s successful recapture of El Gezira held strategic significance. It allowed them to cut off supply lines to Khartoum and the eastern regions controlled by the RSF, even though the paramilitary still held sway over the capital.
The morale boost from reclaiming Wad Madani was evident, with the army now poised to apply pressure on Khartoum and potentially expand their operations westward. However, concerns remained about possible RSF counteroffensives in other regions.
General Shams el-Din Kabbashi, deputy leader of the armed forces, expressed gratitude for the victory but emphasized the need to press forward in the campaign. The involvement of defectors from rebel groups and RSF dissidents had been instrumental in supporting the army’s advances.
The RSF’s retreat from El Gezira was attributed to being overwhelmed and depleted in resources, prompting a swift takeover by the army. Clashes within Wad Madani were minimal, as the RSF forces retreated northwards under pressure from airstrikes.
As the conflict continued in other regions, the residents of Wad Madani recounted instances of looting and mistreatment by the departing RSF forces. Despite the challenges ahead, there was a sense of hope and determination among the civilians and troops, as they looked towards securing peace and stability across Sudan.
As they drove through the town, the paramilitary soldiers were described as raiding homes and killing residents if they didn’t find anything, leaving the inhabitants with nothing. The account was given by a witness who recounted the harrowing events. This information was reported by Eltayeb Siddig in Wad Madani, with additional contributions from Khalid Abdelaziz and Nafisa Eltahir. The report was edited by Sharon Singleton.
