Pope Francis Calls for Dialogue as Violence Continues in Sudan
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
Pope Francis has urged for a dialogue between warring military factions in Sudan, as a violent outbreak of fighting enters its second week.
Speaking during traditional Sunday prayers in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome, the pontiff expressed his concerns about the situation in Sudan, saying, “Unfortunately, the situation remains grave in Sudan. That is why I am renewing my call for the violence to stop as quickly as possible and for dialogue to resume. I invite everyone to pray for our Sudanese brothers and sisters.”
France, Italy, Turkey, and the United States are currently evacuating their citizens from Sudan.
The ferocious battles between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have resulted in over 400 deaths and left thousands wounded.
The fighting, which has involved tanks and air strikes, has taken place in densely populated Khartoum.
Recall, the conflict between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s forces and the rival RSF of his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo began on April 15 over a dispute about the planned integration of the RSF into the regular army.
This move was a key condition of a deal aimed at restoring Sudan’s democratic transition after the military toppled former leader Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 following mass citizen protests.
The two men had initially joined forces to oust a civilian government installed after Bashir’s downfall, before turning on each other.
