History of crisis in Sudan: Sudan was the largest country by area in Africa and the Arab League until the secession of South Sudan in 2011 after a civil war. The northern part of Sudan now called Sudan is dominated by Arab Muslims whereas South Sudan is dominated by African Christians. However, this time, the problem is not between “Sudan” and “South Sudan”. The violence has erupted in the capital (Sudan) city of Khartoum due to a power struggle.
Power Struggle in Sudan: In 1989, Omar-Al-Bashir became president of Sudan and threw out the democratically elected Prime Minister of Sudan. Since then, there is no prime minister in Sudan and all the power rested with Omar. Hence, throughout the civil war and till 2019, Omar was the President and sole leader of Sudan. In April 2019, Omar was overthrown by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF- about 4 lakh) Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Head of Rapid Support Forces (RSF- about 2 lakh) Mohamed Hamdan Daglo in a coup. Since then, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is the president of Sudan and Gen Mohamed Hamdan Daglo became his deputy.
After the coup, a Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) was created (as a part of a political agreement) for a period of three years which comprised of Military Junta and Civil Political Groups to give legitimacy to the military Govt formed after the coup. Gen Abdel became the chairman and Gen Daglo became the Vice president of TSC. However, the power was not transferred (in 2021) by the Military Junta to the political groups of the TSC as per the agreement. The Ministers, civilian govt officials, and activists were arrested or put under house arrest in 2021. Both, Gen. Burhan and Gen. Daglo continued to rule Sudan. However, in 2022, in order to strengthen his hold, Gen Burhan reappointed political members and Islamists who were earlier overthrown during the coup in 2019, creating suspicion in minds of Gen Daglo. On the other hand, Gen Daglo started proclaiming himself as the representative of the masses [as he hails from the Darfur region (rural area)] and acting like a national-level politician. Meanwhile, in the last few years, Gen Daglo also created a business empire including gold mines, iron, and steel, investments, transport etc. Gen Daglo even started forming alliances with rebels in the “Darfur region” and the “South Kordofan region”. This is how the battle of supremacy to rule Sudan began between the two generals. Gen Burhan ordered putting RSF under the control of SAF. This caused the RSF led by Gen Daglo to rebel against Gen Burhan.
The RSF moved into Khartoum (the capital of Sudan) and their positions were attacked by air strikes causing civilian casualties. Violence broke out in the capital Khartoum and across other regions in Sudan on April 15 between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah-al-Burhan (president of Sudan) and his deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The UK, EU, and the US have called for a ceasefire that can be enforced if Russia also supports the ceasefire. However, Russia wants to set up a naval base in northern Sudan to gain access to the Indian Ocean which is supported by Gen Daglo.
Operation Kaveri: Operation Kaveri gets underway to bring back Indians stranded in Sudan. India has placed Air Force C-130J on standby in Jeddah and INS Sumedha has reached Port Sudan to evacuate Indians.
Solution: Any kind of peace agreement can only be mediated through the UN and the African nation. After the ceasefire, Gen Burhan must hand over power to an interim civilian govt. and elections must be held under the UN Peace Keeping Force.