Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, has declared Khartoum is “free” and his forces have retaken the capital after nearly two years of fighting.
The Sudanese army has been battling to oust its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from a last foothold in the capital, although the war looks far from over.
In videos posted on social media, General Burhan is seen walking with his troops through the presidential palace in downtown Khartoum which was seized last week, an important symbolic advance.
“Khartoum is now free. It’s over. Khartoum is free. Free. Free,” General Burhan can be heard telling his soldiers.
The Sudanese armed forces seized a key RSF base in Khartoum and surrounded the capital’s airport earlier on Wednesday, after consolidating their gains in the capital in recent days.
The war erupted in April 2023 as the country was attempting a democratic transition. The conflict has split the massive country into rival zones of control.
While the army has made recent gains in central Sudan – retaking parts of the capital and other territory – the RSF has consolidated its control in the west of the country.
Sudan’s recaptured palace is a significant sign of return to order
Sudan’s military retakes more key government buildings in capital as it consolidates gains
Sudan’s military says it has seized control of presidential palace
The fighting has also caused what the UN calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Famine and disease is blighting several areas, and 12.5 million people have been driven from their homes, many of them seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
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