The Sudanese army has announced the recapture of the presidential palace in Khartoum from the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a significant milestone in the ongoing conflict that has ravaged the country for almost two years. The battle for control of the capital, which intensified following the collapse of Sudan’s transitional government in 2023, saw fierce fighting between the army and the RSF, both of which have long vied for power.
The army’s reclaiming of the presidential palace, a symbol of the seat of power in Sudan, is seen as a major victory for General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s de facto president and head of the army. On Friday, al-Burhan vowed that there would be no negotiations with the RSF until the group is completely defeated, signaling the army’s commitment to a military solution. “There will be no negotiations until these people are no more,” al-Burhan declared.
Despite this triumph, the war is far from over, and much of the country remains under the RSF’s control. The RSF, which is led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, has reportedly maintained a strong presence in several regions, including key areas in the south of the capital and around major transportation hubs. As the army celebrates its success, it is clear that significant challenges lie ahead to fully secure the country.
The RSF has issued statements claiming its forces remain active around the presidential palace. A message on the RSF’s official Telegram account declared that its fighters were still “present in the vicinity” of the area, disputing the army’s claims of total control.
In a tragic development, the RSF reported launching a drone strike on the palace complex, which resulted in several casualties, including a team of journalists from Sudan’s state TV station and two senior media liaison officers from the army. The attack highlights the continued dangers faced by civilians and military personnel alike in this protracted conflict.
Although the army has taken control of key buildings within Khartoum, including the presidential palace and several ministry offices, bloody clashes are expected to continue. Army spokesperson Nabil Abdallah confirmed the military’s success on state TV, announcing that the army had “completely destroyed the enemy’s fighters and equipment” and had seized a large stockpile of weapons and other military gear.
The joy from the army’s victory was evident, with soldiers sharing celebratory posts on social media, many seen cheering and praying in front of the palace gates. However, the prospect of peace remains uncertain, as fighting is expected to persist in the city’s outskirts, where RSF forces have entrenched themselves.
This latest development underscores the deeply entrenched and unresolved nature of the conflict. The RSF still controls substantial territories across Sudan, and both sides remain far from a resolution, despite the army’s recent advances. The war has left thousands dead and displaced millions, creating a dire humanitarian crisis in a country already struggling with political instability and economic hardship.
As Sudanese forces push to corner the remaining RSF fighters, the future of Khartoum and the rest of Sudan remains uncertain, with the potential for further bloodshed in the ongoing battle for control of the country.
