Medani… New Phase in Sudan’s War of Existentialism 

Report – Sudan Events

In a totally new development the town of Medani, capital of Gezira state which is neighbouring the national capital some 196 kms to the south, has dominated the scene in the Sudan where war between the government armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces and their Arab allied militias, completed 8 months since it broke out in April this year.

East Gezira Bleeding

The events broke out Friday morning when militias from the RSF sneaked to the oil and gas depots in Omalila area-15km to the east of Madani the regional capital in central Sudan, where it was confronted by the Sudanese Armed Forces troops in violent confrontations all along the areas of Sharafa Barakat and Abu Haraz. The SAF promptly closed the bridge of Hantoub, the main outlet between Medani and the main market place and the entrance to the town from the eastern direction.

This was followed by a quick decision by the government of the state of Gezira to announce that the situation was under control and that the traitorous attack by the militias was repulsed and that the attacking rebels sustained heavy material and human losses.

Local and International Condemnation for the Attack

The attack on Medani has been met with wide condemnation both from local and international body. The head of the Sudan people liberation front- the Democratic Popular Trend led by Yasser Arman, issued a statement denouncing the attack and pointing out in the statement posed on X platform account that the attack on Medani was unjustified and constitute a flagrant violation of the right of the civilians and safety. This is a town that hosts millions of people who are their inhabitants and the displaced persons who moved in from Khartoum along with other people.”

Arman added that protection of civilians and their properties is an issue that could not be ignored or overlooked.

Cabinet Advisor Condemns

A few hours later the former advisor at the Council of Ministers Dr Amjad Fared who has expressed his surprise because there is no military reason whatsoever that prompts attack by the RSF militia against Wad Medani. He said he considers Medani and the whole state of Gezira to be a huge camp for internally displaced persons IDP hailing from Khartoum, and north Kordufan and Darfur state that have been demolished by the ongoing war.

International concerns

The militia attack has also spurred fears internationally. The Assistant Secretary General for humanitarian affairs and relief coordinators Martin Griffith said the same night the attack occurred that he was appalled because of the continuation of the conflict in the Sudan

Griffith said the clashes taking place outside Medani threatens the lives of thousands of civilians who moved to the area because of the conflict adding that the town is a humanitarian center that should never be threatened by clashes.

Displacement Concerns

The concern abbot the transfer of the battles to the ton of Medani has pushed many families from amongst those who moved from Khartoum, to pack up their luggage and get ready for yet another journey of displacement towards Sinnar, the state neighbouring Medani. The army closing of the Hantoub Bridge has meanwhile contributed to the IDPs deciding in majority and forceful to escape to Sinnar state, 178 kms to the south of Wad Medani, notwithstanding the continued assurances by the local authorities that the situation was calm and demanding them to stay put.

The Sudan is currently witnessing the largest wave of displacement in the world, according to the united nations, which revealed in one of its most recent releases that over 6 million persons have been forced to leave their homes and that they moved to hundreds of locations within Sudan’s 18 states as a result of the military operations between SAF and the RSF, since April this year.

The Ultimate Scenario

The overall situation in Medani is that of a tide ebbing and gaining strength, as the battles have moved the war in the Sudan to a totally new square, amid assurances from the Sudanese Army that the whole episode is moving to a close, the question thus remains will the Sudan return back to times of its lost safety and security???