By John Ikani
Despite ongoing ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia, Sudanese military fighter jets continue to launch air strikes on Khartoum and its neighboring cities of Bahri and Omdurman.
Ground battles between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are also intensifying in two critical areas in the center of Bahri – Shambat and Halfiya.
The fight for control over the Halfiya bridge, which is currently under the RSF’s control, has become a key point of contention.
As a result of the violence, residents in the affected areas are frightened and seeking shelter in their homes.
While many remain hopeful that the talks in Saudi Arabia, the first between the warring sides, will lead to a ceasefire, a senior Saudi diplomat has said that “no significant progress” has been made.
In Bahri, the military has arrested two pro-democracy activists, accusing them of supporting the RSF.
Their colleagues are demanding their immediate release, insisting that the allegations are false.
Neighborhood resistance committees, which have been actively advocating for democracy in Sudan, have been providing crucial humanitarian aid to residents since the conflict began on April 15.
The power struggle between Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and RSF commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who jointly orchestrated a coup in 2021, has dashed hopes of a transition to civilian rule.
Despite the ongoing talks, the fighting shows no signs of stopping, leaving many in Sudan fearful for their safety and uncertain about the future.