Message to ICC: Sudan's leaders are fighting each other while killing fellow citizens and aid workers

From:  BBC News LIVE REPORTING

Monday 17 April 2023 10:47 GMT UK 

By James Copnall, BBC Sudan analyst

Conflict intensifying and peace in short term unlikley

My guess is a negotiated solution to this conflict  is not likely to happen, in the short term at any rate.

Over the weekend, General Hemeti of the Rapid Support Force (RSF) called Sudanese army General Burhan a dog, talked about hunting him down and called him a criminal - while the army have basically said they will not stop until the RSF is dissolved.

While these are statements from a few days ago, they show the mindset both sides have right now.

It's also my feeling that the intensity of the conflict has increased today, certainly compared to yesterday.

Speaking to friends in Khartoum, Omdurman and other places, they are talking about air strikes carried out by the Sudanese armed forces.

Presumably they are targeting RSF bases, who are then firing back up at the planes.

So this is urban warfare between two heavily armed forces and neither sides appears willing to back down.

My initial feeling is we're likely to see a lot more fighting over the next few days and perhaps when it becomes clear which side will win, perhaps we will get closer to talks.

Although it's a difficult picture to fully discern, it seems like the Sundanese military have the upper hand - backed by that air power.

Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-65285254

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