Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
3 April 2025 | 12:00 CAT
3-minute read

Sudanese army’s recapture of Khartoum: implications and media coverage

The Sudanese army’s successful operation to regain control over Khartoum, including pivotal infrastructures like the international airport, marks a notable shift in the protracted conflict. This development is emblematic of the army’s resurgence after being on the defensive since the conflict’s inception in April 2023.

During this week’s Media Lens on Radio Islam International, Hafidh Ibrahim highlighted the multifaceted importance of this victory, stating, “The capture of Khartoum is significant because, one, it’s symbolically significant—the capital of the country. Two, especially with the capture of bases in Omdurman and Bahri, it means that the Sudanese army is in control of many of the Nile tributaries, and together with Jazira and Sennar states, controls much of the agriculture in the country.”​

However, Hafidh Ibrahim cautioned against viewing this as a conclusive end to hostilities, noting that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) maintain strongholds in western regions like Darfur and have access to external support through neighbouring countries.

He elaborated, “The RSF still controls much of the west of the country in Darfur and has rear bases in Chad and is in border areas with Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan.”​

Media’s role in the conflict

The discourse also touched upon the media’s portrayal of the Sudanese conflict. Hafidh Ibrahim critiqued the limited coverage, emphasising that the focus has predominantly been on Khartoum, thereby overshadowing the broader humanitarian crisis affecting millions.

“We often call it the forgotten war because the media hasn’t covered Sudan. It hasn’t covered the 12 million displaced, the 30 million that are in need of aid, the genocide and mass atrocities that have been committed,” he remarked.​

This narrow media lens, according to Hafidh Ibrahim, contributes to a lack of international pressure for comprehensive solutions, allowing the conflict to persist with minimal external intervention.​

Prospects for resolution

Addressing potential pathways to peace, Hafidh Ibrahim expressed concern over the possibility of Sudan’s de facto partition, drawing parallels to Libya’s fragmented state. He observed, “It seems as if the country may be partitioned further, at least de facto, similar to Libya, where you have the government in control of the south and east and the rebels or the RSF in control of the west.”​

Such a scenario, he warned, could perpetuate instability, as empowered military factions continue to vie for control, undermining prospects for a unified civilian governance structure.​

Humanitarian crisis

The ongoing conflict has precipitated a dire humanitarian situation. Reports indicate that over 20 000 people have perished since the war’s onset, with more than 14 million displaced, exacerbating the country’s famine crisis. The recent intensification of attacks on displacement camps, particularly in North Darfur, underscores the escalating violence and the urgent need for international attention and aid.

The recapture of Khartoum by the Sudanese army represents a pivotal moment in the nation’s ongoing conflict. However, as Hafidh Ibrahim elucidated, without comprehensive media coverage and sustained international engagement, achieving a lasting resolution remains a formidable challenge. The complexities of internal divisions, external influences, and humanitarian emergencies necessitate a concerted effort to pave the way for peace and stability in Sudan.

Listen to the Asia Pacific Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat.