As the forces of two rival generals fought intense street battles in Sudan’s capital Khartoum on Friday (21 April), ignoring appeals for an end-of-Ramadan Eid ceasefire, the United States is reportedly preparing to send additional troops to its base in nearby Djibouti in case an evacuation of Americans from Sudan is needed. The latest violence between Sudan’s military ruler, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and paramilitary leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government. Both sides have also ignored the calls by UN chief Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a ceasefire of “at least” three days to mark Eid. Meanwhile, the US will be sending a large number of additional troops to its military base in Djibouti in case the deteriorating security situation in Sudan requires an emergency evacuation of American citizens. President Joe Biden has ordered the pre-positioning of military forces to be ready, White House spokesperson John Kirby said, adding Biden was closely following developments.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 22, 2023 17:47 UTC