Amidst the escalating conflict in Sudan, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s army chief, has castigated commanders for their alleged “negligence” following the seizure of the strategic city of Wad Madani by the RSF.
The swift capture of Gezira state’s capital without resistance has drawn sharp criticism against the army’s leadership and its perceived ineptitude.
Wad Madani’s fall, occurring eight months into the civil war, has led to a mass exodus of over 300,000 individuals who considered the region a safe haven.
General Burhan publicly addressed the issue four days post the city’s capture, vowing to hold accountable those deemed responsible for the withdrawal that enabled the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to gain control.
“We will hold every negligent commander accountable. Those who were responsible for this withdrawal will also be held accountable without leniency,” he said.
The army has announced plans to investigate the circumstances surrounding the unexpected retreat, allowing the RSF to seize Wad Madani and purportedly take control of the entire Gezira state.
Since April, the army and the RSF has engaged in battles across Sudan, contributing to a conflict that has displaced an estimated seven million people, according to the United Nations. Citizens seeking safety had fled from volatile regions such as Khartoum to Gezira and Wad Madani.
Islamic Relief Sudan Director Elsadig Elnour was in Wad Madani when fighting broke out, and told media that civilians there were”panicked”.
“They don’t know where to settle and who will provide assistance to them.”
Wad Madani, a hub for aid operations since the conflict’s onset, witnessed the departure of numerous humanitarian groups after the RSF takeover. Dr. Gina Portella, Programme Coordinator at the medical charity EMERGENCY NGO, described the situation as a “disaster” for the city’s now-limited services following the withdrawal of aid organizations.
The United Nations, through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, labeled Sudan as experiencing the world’s most extensive displacement crisis.
The conflict, stemming from a disagreement over a political transition plan, has not only displaced millions but also ravaged Khartoum, triggered ethnic violence in Darfur, and witnessed the RSF’s capture of several key cities.
