Sudan has a deep-rooted history of coups and wars, currently facing a two-year conflict between the army and RSF. Significant events include Nimeiri’s overthrow in 1985, al-Bashir’s long rule, the Darfur conflict, and recent military confrontations. Sudan’s political instability continues to pose severe humanitarian challenges.

Sudan has a long history characterized by coups, wars, and political instability. Currently, the nation is embroiled in a two-year conflict between the army and a paramilitary group. Recently, the Sudanese army announced its control over the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, marking a significant achievement in its struggle against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Below are key historical episodes contributing to Sudan’s tumultuous political landscape.

In 1985, President Jaafar Nimeiri, who had taken power in a 1969 coup, was ousted following a popular uprising. A military commander subsequently assumed leadership, reassuring the public of elections within a year, leading to a three-year phase of civilian governance beginning in 1986.

In 1989, Army General Omar al-Bashir executed a coup, establishing a thirty-year regime supported by Islamist military officers and influential politician Hassan al-Turabi, who would eventually oppose Bashir. Under increasing pressure from the United States, by 1996, Sudan’s government expelled Osama bin Laden, who had resided in the country for five years.

In 1998, U.S. missile strikes targeted the El Shifa medicine factory, allegedly linked to chemical weapon production and Bin Laden’s interests, which Sudan denied, asserting that only pharmaceutical drugs were produced there.

The crisis in Darfur erupted in 2003, leading to a conflict between armed rebels and government forces, aided by the Janjaweed militia. The humanitarian impact was catastrophic, resulting in 300,000 deaths and millions displaced, with violence persisting even after a peace deal in 2020. Simultaneously, Bashir faced charges of genocide by the International Criminal Court for the atrocities committed in Darfur.

In 2005, a peace agreement was signed between the northern government and southern rebels, concluding two decades of conflict, leading to South Sudan’s independence in 2011 following a referendum. The year 2019 witnessed Bashir’s ousting amid a popular uprising, followed by growing tensions over the transition to democracy between military and civilian leaders.

Recent developments include the outbreak of fighting on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF headed by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, marking a significant escalation in violence. By 2024, humanitarian conditions worsened, with famine threatening multiple regions due to the ongoing conflict.

In summary, Sudan’s protracted history of political upheaval has involved a series of coups, civil wars, and humanitarian crises. The persistent cycle of conflict has shaped the nation’s socio-political landscape, currently spotlighted by the ongoing struggle between military forces and paramilitary groups. With a fragile humanitarian situation, the future remains uncertain as Sudan seeks to navigate through years of instability.

Original Source: kfgo.com

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