This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-65284948

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Sudan: Why has fighting broken out there? Sudan: Why has fighting broken out there?
(7 days later)
Watch: Sheltering from fighter jets and gunfire around Khartoum airportWatch: Sheltering from fighter jets and gunfire around Khartoum airport
Watch: Sheltering from fighter jets and gunfire around Khartoum airportWatch: Sheltering from fighter jets and gunfire around Khartoum airport
The fighting that has erupted in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the country's military leadership.The fighting that has erupted in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country is a direct result of a vicious power struggle within the country's military leadership.
The clashes are between the regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).The clashes are between the regular army and a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Where is Sudan?Where is Sudan?
Sudan is in north-east Africa and is one of the largest countries on the continent, covering 1.9 million square kilometres.Sudan is in north-east Africa and is one of the largest countries on the continent, covering 1.9 million square kilometres.
It is also one the poorest countries in the world, with its 46 million people living on an average annual income of $750 (£606) a head.It is also one the poorest countries in the world, with its 46 million people living on an average annual income of $750 (£606) a head.
The population of Sudan is predominantly Muslim and the country's official languages are Arabic and English.The population of Sudan is predominantly Muslim and the country's official languages are Arabic and English.
Who is fighting who in Sudan?Who is fighting who in Sudan?
Since the 2021 coup, Sudan has been run by a council of generals, led by the two military men at the centre of this dispute:Since the 2021 coup, Sudan has been run by a council of generals, led by the two military men at the centre of this dispute:
Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the armed forces and in effect the country's presidentGen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the armed forces and in effect the country's president
And his deputy and leader of the RSF, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti.And his deputy and leader of the RSF, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti.
Gen Dagalo, head of the RSF, amongst supporters Gen Dagalo, head of the RSF, among supporters
They have disagreed on the direction the country is going in and the proposed move towards civilian rule.They have disagreed on the direction the country is going in and the proposed move towards civilian rule.
The main sticking points are plans to include the 100,000-strong RSF into the army, and who would then lead the new force.The main sticking points are plans to include the 100,000-strong RSF into the army, and who would then lead the new force.
Why has fighting in Sudan started now? Why did the fighting in Sudan start?
The violence follows days of tension as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country last week in a move that the army saw as a threat. The shooting began on 15 April following days of tension as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country in a move that the army saw as a threat.
There had been some hope that talks could resolve the situation but these never happened.There had been some hope that talks could resolve the situation but these never happened.
It is disputed who fired the first shot on Saturday morning but fighting has since escalated in different parts of the country with almost 100 civilians dying, according to a Sudanese doctors' union. It is disputed who fired the first shot but the fighting swiftly escalated in different parts of the country with more than 400 civilians dying, according to the World Health Organization.
Why have civilians got caught up?Why have civilians got caught up?
Even though the conflict appears to be around the control of key installations, much of it is happening in urban areas and civilians have become the unwitting victims.Even though the conflict appears to be around the control of key installations, much of it is happening in urban areas and civilians have become the unwitting victims.
It is not exactly clear where the RSF bases are, but it seems that their fighters have moved into densely populated areas. It is not exactly clear where the RSF bases are, but it seems that their fighters moved into densely populated areas.
The Sudanese air force has mounted air strikes in the capital, a city of more than six million people, which is likely to have led to civilian casualties.The Sudanese air force has mounted air strikes in the capital, a city of more than six million people, which is likely to have led to civilian casualties.
There was a brief pause in the fighting on Sunday, agreed by both sides, to allow people to escape the fighting. Several ceasefires have been announced to allow people to escape the fighting but these have not been observed.
What are the Rapid Support Forces?What are the Rapid Support Forces?
The RSF was formed in 2013 and has its origins in the notorious Janjaweed militia that brutally fought rebels in Darfur, where they were accused of ethnic cleansing.The RSF was formed in 2013 and has its origins in the notorious Janjaweed militia that brutally fought rebels in Darfur, where they were accused of ethnic cleansing.
Since then, Gen Dagalo has built a powerful force that has intervened in conflicts in Yemen and Libya. He has also developed economic interests including controlling some of Sudan's gold mines.Since then, Gen Dagalo has built a powerful force that has intervened in conflicts in Yemen and Libya. He has also developed economic interests including controlling some of Sudan's gold mines.
The RSF has been accused of human rights abuses, including the massacre of more than 120 protesters in June 2019.The RSF has been accused of human rights abuses, including the massacre of more than 120 protesters in June 2019.
Such a strong force outside the army has been seen as a source of instability in the country.Such a strong force outside the army has been seen as a source of instability in the country.
The RSF - Sudan's ruthless gold mercenariesThe RSF - Sudan's ruthless gold mercenaries
Who is Gen DagaloWho is Gen Dagalo
Why is the military in charge of Sudan?Why is the military in charge of Sudan?
This fighting is the latest episode in bouts of tension that followed the ousting of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. This fighting is the latest episode in bouts of tension that followed the 2019 ousting of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup in 1989.
There were huge street protests calling for an end to his near-three decade rule and the army mounted a coup to get rid of him.There were huge street protests calling for an end to his near-three decade rule and the army mounted a coup to get rid of him.
But civilians continued to campaign for a return to democratic rule. But civilians continued to campaign for the introduction of democracy.
Sudan's military leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-BurhanSudan's military leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
A joint military-civilian government was then established but that was overthrown in another coup in October 2021, when Gen Burham took over. A joint military-civilian government was then established but that was overthrown in another coup in October 2021, when Gen Burhan took over.
And since then the rivalry between he and Gen Dagalo has intensified. And since then the rivalry between Gen Burhan and Gen Dagalo has intensified.
A framework deal to put power back in the hands of civilians was agreed last December but talks to finalise the details have failed.A framework deal to put power back in the hands of civilians was agreed last December but talks to finalise the details have failed.
What do the two sides want?What do the two sides want?
Gen Dagalo has said that the 2021 coup was a mistake and has tried to present himself and the RSF as being on the side of the people, against the Khartoum elites. Gen Dagalo has said, in a series of tweets, that Gen Burhan's government were "radical Islamists" and that he and the RSF were "fighting for the people of Sudan to ensure the democratic progress for which they have so long yearned".
While he has some support, others find this message hard to believe given the paramilitary force's brutal track record. Many find this message hard to believe, given the brutal track record of the RSF.
Meanwhile, Gen Burhan has said the army will only fully hand over power to an elected government, further sidelining civilian representatives expected to be part of a power-sharing deal. Gen Burhan has said he supports the idea of returning to civilian rule, but that he will only hand over power to an elected government.
But there are suspicions that both military men, and their supporters, are worried what might happen to their wealth and influence if they are removed from their powerful positions. There are suspicions that both the generals want to hang on to their positions of power, unwilling to losing the wealth and influence that go with them.
What are other countries doing?What are other countries doing?
There are fears that the fighting could further fragment the country, worsen political turbulence and draw in neighbouring states.There are fears that the fighting could further fragment the country, worsen political turbulence and draw in neighbouring states.
Diplomats, who have played a crucial role in trying to urge a return to civilian rule, are desperately trying to find a way to get the two generals to talk. Diplomats, who have played a crucial role in trying to urge a return to civilian rule, have been trying to find a way to get the two generals to talk.
A regional bloc agreed to send three presidents - from Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti - to Khartoum, but it is unclear if they can make the trip as no planes are flying in or out of the country. Soon after the fighting began a regional bloc agreed to send three presidents - from Kenya, South Sudan and Djibouti - to Khartoum, but the mission never happened.
The UK, US and EU have all called for a ceasefire and talks to resolve the crisis. The UK, US and EU have all called for a ceasefire and talks to resolve the crisis and many countries are now focused on trying to get their citizens out.
More about the unrest in Sudan:More about the unrest in Sudan:
Live updates as the fighting ragesLive updates as the fighting rages
Violence spreads in Sudan as explosions rock capitalViolence spreads in Sudan as explosions rock capital
Shock and anger in Khartoum, a city not used to warShock and anger in Khartoum, a city not used to war
Related TopicsRelated Topics
SudanSudan