Sudan’s military announced on Friday that it had recaptured the Republican Palace in Khartoum, marking a significant moment in its prolonged conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The palace, previously a heavily guarded RSF stronghold, had been a key target in the ongoing battle for control of Sudan’s capital. However, the victory is largely symbolic, as the RSF continues to hold significant territory in Sudan’s Darfur region and other parts of the country.
Videos circulating on social media showed military personnel inside the palace, with a captain confirming the takeover and noting that the date corresponded with the 21st day of Ramadan. The footage revealed portions of the palace in ruins, with soldiers stepping over broken tiles and chanting, “God is the greatest!” while brandishing their weapons.
Sudan’s Information minister Khaled al-Aiser affirmed the military’s success on X, stating, “Today the flag is raised, the palace is back and the journey continues until victory is complete.”
The Republican Palace, located along the Nile River, has been a landmark of Sudanese governance, featuring prominently on the country’s banknotes and postage stamps. Before the war erupted in April 2023, it was the seat of the Sudanese government. The military’s capture of the palace strengthens its position in the capital, where it has steadily advanced under the leadership of Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan.
With the RSF now largely pushed out of Khartoum, sporadic gunfire could still be heard on Friday, though it remained unclear whether it was due to clashes or celebrations.
Military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah confirmed that government troops were now in control of the Republican Palace, surrounding ministry buildings, and the Arab Market to its south. However, the Khartoum International Airport, located just 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) southeast of the palace, remains under RSF control.
The RSF has not yet acknowledged the loss of the palace, and the conflict is far from over. The paramilitary group still controls vast regions, particularly in Darfur.
Fighting intensifies in North Darfur
While the Sudanese military gained ground in Khartoum, the RSF claimed control of al-Maliha, a strategic desert town in North Darfur, located near the borders of Chad and Libya. Although the Sudanese military acknowledged ongoing battles in the area, it did not confirm losing the city.
Al-Maliha lies about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of El Fasher, one of the last government-controlled cities in Darfur, where RSF forces have been carrying out near-daily attacks.
The worsening humanitarian crisis
The conflict, now approaching its second year, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. According to U.N. estimates, the war has resulted in over 28,000 deaths and displaced millions. Famine has gripped several areas, with some families resorting to eating grass in a desperate attempt to survive. Other reports suggest the actual death toll could be much higher.
The Republican Palace has historical significance, serving as Sudan’s seat of power during British colonial rule. It was the site where the first independent Sudanese flags were hoisted in 1956. Before the war, it housed Sudan’s president and senior officials.
Sudan’s political turmoil and continued conflict
Sudan has faced years of instability, beginning with the 2019 uprising that led to the removal of longtime autocratic leader Omar al-Bashir. A brief attempt at democratic transition was cut short in 2021, when Burhan and RSF leader Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo staged a military coup. The two factions later turned against each other, plunging the country into a full-scale war in 2023.
Burhan’s forces, comprising Sudan’s military and allied militias, have recently made major advances against the RSF, including the recapture of a crucial refinery north of Khartoum and multiple RSF-held positions around the capital. However, civilian casualties have increased significantly amid the intensified fighting.
The war has also reignited ethnic violence in Darfur, where the RSF and allied Arab militias have been accused of targeting ethnic African groups. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has long sought al-Bashir for his role in the Darfur genocide in the early 2000s, which was carried out with the Janjaweed militia, the precursor to the RSF. Rights groups and the United Nations have accused the RSF of similar ethnic-based attacks in the current war.
Both Sudan’s military and the RSF face allegations of human rights abuses. Before leaving office, US President Joe Biden’s administration formally declared that the RSF was committing genocide. Both factions have denied involvement in war crimes.
With no immediate prospect of peace, Sudan remains embroiled in a devastating conflict that continues to displace civilians and deepen the humanitarian crisis.
