SUDAN’S army yesterday called for reservists and retired soldiers to re-enlist amid a deadly conflict with a rival paramilitary and asked the United Nations to change its envoy to the country. The call to former soldiers to present themselves at their nearest military base looked aimed at strengthening the army in its battle with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary, but may add fuel to the conflict days into a truce.
An army spokesperson said enlistment would be voluntary. Sudan’s existing armed forces law says, however, that retired soldiers remain as reservists, eligible for compulsory re-enlistment.
That does not include those who only did Sudan’s mandatory two-year military service. Army leader Abdel-Fatteh Al Burhan wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres yesterday asking him to replace his envoy Volker Perthes, sources in the Sudanese presidency said.
The sources did not give details but Perthes, who was appointed in 2021, had pushed a political transition to civilian rule that some in the army opposed. “The secretary general is shocked by the letter,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. “The secretary general is proud of the work done by Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative.”
Residents of Khartoum who have stayed in the city suffer from breakdowns of electricity, water, health and communication services. Many homes, particularly in well-off areas, have been looted, along with food stores, flour mills and other essential facilities. “It’s all part of the chaos of this war,” said Taysir Abdelrahim, who found out from abroad her home was looted. “Even if we were in Sudan there’s nothing you can do about it.”
One organisation helping children with cancer said a guesthouse it operates had been raided, including its safe and patients’ rooms. The children had been previously transferred. The RSF has denied looting, blaming people who have stolen its uniforms. Its fighters are largely bunkered down in Khartoum neighbourhoods, while the army relies on air power. It is unclear if either side has gained an edge. Some 1.3 million people have fled their homes, either across borders or within the vast nation.