Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
15 January 2025 | 13:45 CAT

Sudanese people celebrate in Meroe, Sudan, on January 11 after the army announced in entered the Rapid Support Forces-held city of Wad Madani. AFP/Getty Images

Sudan’s military, supported by its allies, has reclaimed control of Wad Madani, a city of strategic and financial importance, from the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This development marks a significant, though complex, milestone in the country’s ongoing conflict.

Wad Madani, the second-largest city in Sudan and a vital hub in Jazeera State, had fallen to the RSF without a fight last year. Now, its recapture by the military has sparked widespread relief. Sudanese political commentator Dr. Abdul Karim Elgoni highlighted the emotional response: “The sudden withdrawal of the RSF without conflict brought immense happiness among supporters of the army, both within Sudan and abroad.”

This victory is not merely symbolic. “The army’s successful recapture of Wad Madani strengthens its position in the conflict,” said Dr. Elgoni. He explained that the head of the military, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, had been reluctant to engage in peace talks due to perceptions of the army’s weakness. “Now, with this success, there’s hope the military will feel emboldened to negotiate,” he added.

The RSF, however, has framed its withdrawal differently. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemeti, dismissed the significance of the military’s advance, saying, “We are not fighting the Sudanese army; we are battling external forces like the Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt’s air force.” Dr. Elgoni interpreted this as an attempt to undermine the army’s credibility and portray its success as dependent on foreign allies.

Despite these developments, the situation remains precarious. “Neither side has the upper hand,” noted Dr. Elgoni. “Both are losing, and the greatest burden is on the Sudanese people, who are enduring unimaginable suffering.”

Hope, however, glimmers on the horizon. Increasing domestic calls for an end to hostilities, coupled with international mediation efforts led by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, could pave the way for peace. “Erdoğan’s initiative for negotiations was close to succeeding, but the military’s perceived weakness hindered progress. The recapture of Wad Madani might now encourage meaningful talks, possibly in Jeddah before the month’s end,” Dr. Elgoni observed.

As Sudan’s crisis drags on, Dr. Elgoni offered a solemn plea: “Let us pray for an end to this war and the suffering it has caused. May peace prevail.”

The reclamation of Wad Madani, while significant, underscores the complex and ongoing challenges in Sudan’s path to peace.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Dr Abdul Karim Elgoni here.