The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the military and formidable Rapid Support Forces (RSF) may be finally coming to an end after the recent IGAD talks.
On April 15, a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, burst into an all-out conflict, killing thousands of people, forcing millions from their homes and exacerbating an acute humanitarian crisis.
These are the key developments in the ongoing conflict thus far.
April 15: War starts
The RSF initiated attacks on multiple SAF bases across the nation, including in the capital, Khartoum. RSF forces asserted control over Khartoum International Airport, Merowe Airport, El Obeid Airport, and a base in Soba.
Clashes unfolded at the Presidential Palace and SAF Commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s residence, each side claiming dominance.
In response, the SAF declared the closure of all country airports, and the Sudanese Air Force conducted airstrikes on RSF positions in Khartoum, accompanied by artillery fire in various city areas.
Clashes also reported in Darfur state, White Nile, Nyala, Port Sudan, and many other locations across Sudan.
RSF leader Dagalo, in an Al Jazeera interview, accused al-Burhan of provoking confrontations and alleged SAF commanders’ plots to reinstate deposed leader Omar al-Bashir.
On Twitter, Dagalo appealed for international intervention against al-Burhan, framing the RSF’s actions as a fight against radical militants.
April 23: al-Bashir moved to military hospital
A massive jailbreak was reported at Kobar Prison in Khartoum after it was forcefully entered by armed individuals. The army stated that former dictator al-Bashir had been transferred to the Aliyaa military hospital before the attack.
April 25: Failed truce
The US and Saudi Arabia engage in talks to establish a 72-hour ceasefire, but the agreement is swiftly breached. Subsequent attempts at truce agreements prove unsuccessful.
The military announces that al-Bashir, sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of genocide related to the Darfur conflict, was moved to a hospital before the commencement of the hostilities.
May 6: Jeddah talks start
Negotiations supported by the United States and Saudi Arabia commence between representatives of the army and RSF in the Saudi city of Jeddah.
May 12: Jeddah talks continue
In talks held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the SAF and RSF entered into an agreement, permitting secure passage for individuals departing conflict zones and ensuring the protection of relief workers, while pledging not to employ civilians as human shields.
Nevertheless, no consensus was reached on a cessation of hostilities.
May 20: 7-day truce
A week-long truce between the two factions, facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the United States, was agreed upon in Jeddah. The ceasefire was scheduled to commence at 9:45 p.m. Khartoum time (1945 GMT) on May 22.
May 22: Ceasefire violated again
A fresh seven-day ceasefire takes effect but is once again breached multiple times immediately.
May 29: Frail truce extended
The SAF and RSF reached an agreement to extend the ceasefire until June 3, amidst ongoing sporadic clashes in both Khartoum and Darfur.
May 31: Army walks out
The military announces the suspension of its involvement in the ceasefire negotiations, alleging that the RSF has not honored its commitments.
June 1: US sanctions
The United States imposes the initial sanctions in connection to the conflict, focusing on two companies associated with the army and two others linked to the RSF. The US issues a warning, asserting its intent to “hold accountable” individuals undermining peace in the country, and announces plans to enforce visa restrictions on those contributing to the ongoing violence.
June 9: UN envoy declared ‘persona non grata’
Sudanese authorities declare the UN envoy to the country, Volker Perthes, as “persona non grata,” two weeks after the army chief accused him of exacerbating the conflict.
June 10: Ceasefire announced
Brokered by US and Saudi Arabia the conflicting parties reach an agreement to implement a 24-hour ceasefire and consent to facilitating unrestricted movement and delivery of humanitarian aid across the entire country.
June 11: Fighting resumes
Within half an hour of the cessation of the ceasefire, renewed and intensified fighting ensues. Air raids, artillery shelling, and the rattling of machine guns echo across various regions of the country, resulting in the tragic death of seven civilians.
June 17: Another ceasefire announced
US and Saudi mediators reported that the conflicting parties had reached an agreement for a 72-hour ceasefire scheduled to commence at 06:00 (04:00 GMT) on June 18.
June 21: Fighting resumes
Intense conflicts erupt following the expiration of a 72-hour ceasefire, marked by fierce fighting in various areas of the capital, including the vicinity of the intelligence agency’s headquarters near Khartoum International Airport.
June 27: Eid truce declared by RSF, SAF
The RSF declared an independent two-day ceasefire in observance of the Eid ul-Adha holiday. Subsequently, on the same day, the SAF also announced its own independent ceasefire for the holiday.
July 2: Fighting continues
Fighting continues as air raids are launched in northern parts of Khartoum and heavy artillery is used in the city’s east.
July 10: Regional bloc calls for summit
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), consisting of eight states in and around the Horn of Africa, convenes in Addis Ababa to initiate a peace process.
However, the initiative encounters a setback when a delegation from Sudan’s army is notably absent on the first day of the meetings.
July 11: Sudan rejects peace efforts
The army declines a suggested regional summit aimed at discussing the deployment of peacekeeping forces for the safeguarding of civilians.
The mediation proposal by IGAD marks the first initiative in weeks, following the suspension of talks in Jeddah due to numerous ceasefire violations.
July 12: UK imposes sanctions
The United Kingdom enforces sanctions on three enterprises associated with the army and three linked with the RSF.
July 15: Jeddah talks revived
According to reports, representatives from the army return to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for discussions with the RSF.
July 28: Dagalo sues for peace
Dagalo made his inaugural video announcement since the commencement of the war, expressing his readiness to engage in negotiations and achieve a peace agreement within 72 hours under the condition that Burhan and the remaining SAF leadership, whom he labeled as “corrupt,” were to resign.
August 4: RSF takes Central Darfur
The RSF claims have taken full control over all of Central Darfur state.
August 9: Sudan army blocks UN envoy report
The UN envoy to Sudan, Volker Perthes, was obstructed from delivering his routine briefing on the situation in Sudan to the UN Security Council.
This occurred after the army-run government threatened to terminate the presence of his office.
August 28: Burhan moves operations to Port Sudan
In Port Sudan, Burhan held his first meeting with his cabinet since the war began.
August 29: Burhan visits Egypt
Burhan traveled to Egypt for discussions with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, marking his inaugural trip outside Sudan since the onset of the war.
September 3: RSF holds talks with AU commission chief
Yousef Izzat, an adviser to Dagalo, held a meeting with the African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki to explore initiatives aimed at ending the war.
September 4: Burhan visits South Sudan
Following his visit to Egypt, Burhan went to South Sudan to meet with President Salva Kiir.
September 5: Egypt resumes flights to Sudan
Egypt resumed commercial flights with Sudan for the first time since the commencement of the war. EgyptAir reinstated services, re-establishing flights between Cairo and Port Sudan.
September 6: Burhan tries to dismantle RSF
Burhan issues a constitutional decree mandating the dissolution of the RSF.
September 7: Burhan travels to Qatar
After his visit to South Sudan, Burhan traveled to Qatar to hold discussions with its emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad.
September 10: Burhan visits Eritrea
Burhan visited Eritrea to engage in discussions with President Isaias Afwerki.
September 13: UN envoy resigns, Burhan visits Turkey
Burhan traveled to Turkey to hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Volker Perthes resigned from his role as the UN special envoy to Sudan.
September 16: Burhan travels to Uganda
Burhan visited Uganda to engage in discussions with President Yoweri Museveni.
September 17: GNPOC tower burns
The Sudanese Tax Office and the iconic 18-story Greater Nile Petroleum Oil Company Tower, situated in central Khartoum, were engulfed in flames amid clashes between the SAF and the RSF. Khartoum Sahel and Sahara Bank tower looted and burned down.
Following his return to Port Sudan from Uganda, Burhan departs for New York City as the head of the Sudanese delegation to the 78th United Nations General Assembly.
October 26: RSF takes control of Nyala
The RSF asserted that it had taken control of Nyala and the headquarters of the SAF’s 16th Infantry Division in the city.
October 27: Jeddah talks resume
Negotiations between the SAF and the RSF resumed in Jeddah.
November 7: Jeddah talks bear no fruit
Saudi Arabia declared that no advancement had been made towards a ceasefire during negotiations between the SAF and the RSF in Jeddah.
However, previous agreements aimed at enhancing access to humanitarian aid were reiterated.
November 16: Sudan army terminates UN mission
The Sudanese army declared the termination of the United Nations political mission in the country, known as UNITAMS.
December 3: Jeddah talks suspended indefinitely
Negotiations between the SAF and the RSF in Jeddah were indefinitely halted by Saudi, US, and African mediators. The suspension was attributed to the failure of both parties to fulfill their obligations, which included implementing agreed-upon confidence-building measures and withdrawing military forces from key cities.
December 6: RSF takes control of Sudatel
The RSF asserted that it had gained control over the database center of the Sudan Telecommunications Group (Sudatel), situated in southwestern Khartoum, which is considered one of the largest in Africa.
December 9: UAE expels Sudanese diploamts
Three Sudanese diplomats were instructed to leave the UAE in response to comments made by SAF deputy commander Yasser al-Atta. In his remarks, al-Atta accused the UAE of supporting the RSF and referred to the country as a “mafia state.”
December 10: Sudan army expels UAE diplomats
Sudan issued an order for the expulsion of 15 Emirati diplomats amid reports suggesting that the UAE had been supplying weapons to the RSF.
December 15: Battle of Wad Madani
Authorities sealed off all entrances to Wad Madani after the RSF initiated attacks outside the city. Hundreds of refugees were reported to have fled to Sennar, prompting authorities to declare a nighttime curfew across the state. Additionally, all humanitarian field missions within and from the state were suspended.
December 17: Sudan army expels Chadian diplomats
Four Sudanese diplomats faced expulsion from Chad after SAF deputy commander Yasser al-Atta accused Chad of supporting the RSF. In response, Sudan ordered three Chadian diplomats to leave the country.
December 19: RSF takes control of Wad Madani
The RSF asserted that it had achieved complete control over Gezira State following the capture of its capital, Wad Madani. In response, the SAF announced its intention to conduct an investigation into its performance in the area.
Notably, this marks the first instance of the SAF launching an inquiry following a defeat at the hands of the RSF.
December 24: Army accused of obstructing peace process
Faris Elnur, the chief negotiator for the RSF in peace talks in Jeddah, resigned from his position. In his resignation, he accused the SAF of obstructing the peace process.
December 27: Dagalo starts diplomatic tour
Dagalo starts Africa tour aimed at ending the war, meets with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Kampala.
December 28: Dagalo visits Ethiopia
Dagalo visited Addis Ababa and held discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
December 30: Army raids anti-war figures
The SAF conducted a raid and ransacked the headquarters of the Sudanese Congress Party in Port Sudan. During the operation, four individuals, including two party officials, were arrested.
This incident was seen as a crackdown on anti-war figures.
December 31: Dagalo continues diplomacy tour as army gets desperate
Dagalo visits Djibouti and held discussions with President Omar Guelleh, who concurrently chairs IGAD, to address peace talks.
The JEM called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Sudan in response to SAF airstrikes.
Human rights groups criticized the detention of activists by the SAF’s Military Intelligence and Islamist groups saying that this was an effort by the former Al Bashir regime to regain power.
January 1: Dagalo meets Taqaddum
Dagalo convened with a delegation of the Civil Democratic Forces alliance (Taqaddum), led by former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, in Addis Ababa.
During the meeting, an agreement was reached wherein Dagalo committed to releasing 451 captives held by the RSF, ensuring humanitarian access and protection of civilians, and pledging to pursue a ceasefire through direct negotiations with the SAF.
The leader of the Nasserist Party, Sattea al-Haj, was apprehended by Sudanese military intelligence in what was perceived as a crackdown by the SAF on anti-war figures.
January 3: Dagalo meets Ruto in Kenya
Dagalo held a meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi.
January 4: Dagalo travels to South Africa
Dagalo had a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria.
In protest over Dagalo’s reception by the Kenyan government, the Sudanese government recalled its ambassador to Kenya, Kamal Jubbara.
January 5: Burhan rejects peace agreement, meeting Dagalo
Burhan rejected an agreement facilitated by IGAD for him to meet with Dagalo, as well as the ceasefire agreement signed by the latter in Addis Ababa.
Dagalo met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali.
January 10: UN says millions displaced
The UN declared that the war in Sudan had displaced over 7.5 million people.
January 12: Dagalo speaks with UN secretary general
Dagalo engaged in a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, a move criticized by the Sudanese army.
January 13: Burhan rejects IGAD invitation
Burhan declined an invitation by IGAD to participate in a summit in Uganda, scheduled for January 18, which was also expected to be attended by Dagalo.
January 16: Sudan’s military government ends mediation participation with IGAD
The Sudanese army-led government officially ended talks with IGAD in retaliation for its invitation to Dagalo to participate in its January 18 summit in Uganda.
January 17: Taqaddum says it will attend IGAD summit
Taqaddum announced that it would attend the IGAD Summit in Uganda on 18 January that was also to be attended by Dagalo.
January 18: Dagalo attends IGAD summit in Uganda
Dagalo held discussions with leaders of IGAD member states at the IGAD summit in Kampala.
In its final statement at the summit, IGAD called on Burhan to meet Dagalo within 2 weeks.
January 20: Dagalo meets Kiir, Sudan suspends IGAD membership
Dagalo meets with South Sudan President Salva Kiir in Uganda.
Sudan suspends IGAD regional group membership.
