On April 15, a power struggle between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the army, and Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), descended into all-out war, killing thousands of people, uprooting millions of people, and escalating an already dire humanitarian situation.
The major war developments to date are listed here.
April 15: Fighting erupts
On April 15, Khartoum’s capital was rocked by intense gunfire and explosions, which causes terror both within the city and outside.
Each side accuses the other of striking first: the army and the RSF.
Conflicts have broken out following years of unrest and several coup attempts.
Fighting also breaks out in Darfur, an area in western Sudan that is still suffering from a terrible conflict that began there in 2003 under the authority of longstanding leader Omar al-Bashir.
April 22: Evacuations begin
Many nations hurry to airlift or evacuate their citizens.
In the evacuation, thousands of people evacuate, and numerous embassies are looted.
April 25: Failed truce
A 72-hour cease-fire was agreed upon by the US and Saudi Arabia, but it was swiftly broken. Then, a slew of more truce agreements fell through.
Ahmed Harun, a key member of al-Bashir’s administration who was overthrown by the army following months of widespread protests, claimed to have escaped from prison.
The army claims that al-Bashir was taken to a hospital prior to the start of the battle. Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on genocide accusations related to the war in Darfur.
April 26: Aid agencies struggle
As humanitarian activities are disrupted across the nation, aid organizations raise the alarm. Businesses struggle to get back to work while maintaining employee safety.
April 27: Ceasefire violated
The RSF and the Sudanese army agree to extend the shaky truce for “an additional 72 hours” despite the ongoing bloodshed in Khartoum and the western Darfur area.
According to witnesses, however, battle is still going on as jets patrol above the northern districts of the capital and fighters on the ground trade heavy machine gun and artillery fire.
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What has changed in Sudan since the war began three months ago?
May 6: Jeddah talks start
US and Saudi-backed talks between army and RSF envoys begin in Saudi Arabia’s city of Jeddah.
May 11: Humanitarian aid needed
Both sides agree to allow urgently needed humanitarian aid to reach affected areas, committing “to ensuring the protection of civilians” but, once again, the fighting never stops.
May 22: Ceasefire violated again
A new one-week ceasefire comes into effect but is also repeatedly violated.
May 31: Army walks out
On May 31, the army says it has suspended its participation in the ceasefire talks, accusing the RSF of failing to respect its commitments.
June 1: US imposes sanctions
The US imposes the first sanctions related to the conflict, targeting two firms associated with the army and two others linked to the RSF.
It warns that it will “hold accountable” all those undermining peace in the country and says will impose visa restrictions “against actors who are perpetuating the violence”.
June 3: Army brings reinforcements
The Sudanese army calls in reinforcements, sparking fear among Khartoum residents that the conflict will worsen.
The army tries to take control of a military base in the capital that belongs to the RSF.
June 6: Shortages of supplies
Intensifying attacks add to the misery of civilians already struggling with limited water, food and medicine, while looters rob neighbourhoods across Khartoum, stealing cars, breaking open safes and occupying people’s homes.
June 7: Fuel fire erupts
A major blaze engulfs a fuel facility in Khartoum as fighting rages for a crucial weapons depot. Smoke billows from the fuel-storage site that is close to an army base and the weapons manufacturing company.
Video Duration 01 minutes 31 seconds
Sudan fighting pushes refugee camps to the limit
June 8: Orphans evacuated
At least 280 children and 70 of their carers are taken from the Al-Mayqoma orphanage in Khartoum to a new facility in Madani, about 135km (85 miles) southeast of the capital. That the transfer takes finally place eight weeks into the conflict highlights the difficulty in obtaining security guarantees from warring parties.
June 9: UN envoy declared ‘persona non grata’
Sudanese authorities declare the UN envoy to the country, Volker Perthes, “persona non grata” two weeks after the army chief accused him of inflaming the conflict.
June 10: Ceasefire announced
Warring sides agree to a 24-hour ceasefire and agree to allow the unimpeded movement and delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout the country.
June 11: Fighting resumes
Within 30 minutes of the ceasefire ending, fighting resumes with renewed intensity. Air raids, artillery shelling and machine guns could be heard pounding several parts of the country, killing seven civilians.
June 14: More than two million people flee
UN says more than two million people have been forced to flee their homes across Sudan, with more than 1.6 million leaving for safer areas inside the country, and about 530,000 others leaving to neighbouring countries.
June 15: West Darfur governor killed
West Darfur state Governor Khamis Abakar is abducted and killed after publicly blaming the deaths of civilians on the RSF. The incident marks a new escalation in the conflict.
June 17: Ceasefire announced
Rival sides agree to a 72-hour ceasefire and to allow the unimpeded movement and delivery of humanitarian aid.
June 19: Donors pledge nearly $1.5bn
After urging nations to boost up relief efforts, the UN reports that approximately $1.5 billion in international donations had been made for the humanitarian response to Sudan and the area.
The group claims that $2.57 billion in funding is needed for its emergency help program.
June 20: Darfur governor calls for probe
Darfur Governor Mini Arko Minawi calls for an international investigation into violence against residents of the region and urges the UN Security Council to allow the ICC to probe “crimes and assassinations”.
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What’s happening in Darfur in Sudan?
June 21: Fighting resumes
Intense battles break out after a 72-hour ceasefire expires, with fierce fighting reported in parts of the capital including around the intelligence agency’s headquarters near Khartoum International Airport.
June 27: Army declares ‘unilateral’ truce
Al-Burhan announces a “unilateral” ceasefire on the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday. His announcement comes after Hemedti declared a two-day “unilateral” ceasefire.
June 28: Air raids reported
Residents say air raids and anti-aircraft fire strike Khartoum as fighting between the warring sides intensifies.
July 2: Fighting continues
Fighting continues as air raids are launched in northern parts of Khartoum and heavy artillery is used in the city’s east.
July 5: UN decries ‘sexual violence’
UN expresses shock at increasing sexual violence against women and girls in Sudan and calls for thorough and independent investigations into all alleged violations and abuses to hold perpetrators to account.
July 10: Regional bloc calls for summit
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), made up of eight states in and around the Horn of Africa, meets in Addis Ababa to kick-start a peace process.
But the initiative faces a setback as a delegation from Sudan’s army fails to attend the first day of meetings.
July 11: Sudan rejects peace efforts
The army rejects a proposed regional summit to consider deploying peacekeeping forces for the protection of civilians.
The mediation offer by IGAD was the first in weeks after talks in Jeddah were suspended following several ceasefire violations.
July 12: UK imposes sanctions
The United Kingdom imposes sanctions on three businesses linked with the army and three with the RSF.
The Defence Industries Systems and two other entities are blacklisted for bankrolling and providing support to the army. For financing and arming the RSF, the UK sanctioned Al-Junaid.
July 13: ICC probing Darfur violence
The ICC launches an investigation into a surge of hostilities in the country’s Darfur region. These include reported killings, rapes, arson, displacement and crimes affecting children.
July 15: Jeddah talks revived
Army representatives return to Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah for talks with the RSF, according to reports.