Sudan: Security

Domestic

Sudan's military achieved a significant breakthrough by breaking a two-year siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a key city in South Kordofan, allowing the army to enter the area for the first time in years. This development has enabled the army to renew its military effort to retake control of the Kordofan and Darfur regions from the RSF. Concurrently, the government has opened a mass trial against suspects accused of war crimes linked to the RSF, while Burhan, the head of the Sudanese army, ordered the release of 400 female inmates accused of cooperating with the paramilitary group.

The conflict is intensifying with a major shift occurring in the air domain. Military commander Hamidti has reportedly secured a $1.5 billion deal to acquire attack aircraft and drones from Pakistan, a development that could alter the balance of power. In response, European countries have imposed sanctions targeting Hamidti's network, including his brother and a key financial figure known as 'Abu Lulu', aiming to cut off resources to the paramilitary forces.

International

As the conflict in Sudan passes 1,000 days, new diplomatic efforts are underway to halt the fighting. Officials in Cairo, Egypt, recently held a workshop to map out potential scenarios for the war, while the Sudanese army is reportedly reviewing a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States and Saudi Arabia. The ongoing violence is creating instability for Sudan's neighbors, with the Central African Republic, which shares a border with Sudan, described as being on the edge of the conflict and dealing with its spillover effects.

Separately, the United Nations chief expressed deep concern about a surge in violence in South Sudan. This concern comes as the country's army chief has given soldiers a seven-day deadline to crush a rebellion.