Conflicting narratives have emerged as deadly clashes continue, having broken out early on Saturday between the army (SAF) and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).Nearly 100 civilians have been killed as violence spread from the capital Khartoum to other cities.In the absence of state media – which abruptly halted live broadcasts after clashes at its headquarters in Omdurman – the SAF and the RSF have predominantly used social media to issue competing statements.
These have included claiming control of strategic sites such as command centres, air bases and the presidential palace.
The clashes are underpinned by a power struggle between the army chief and country’s de facto president, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy who also commands the RSF, Gen Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti.
Since hijacking a popular civilian uprising to oust long-serving President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, the army has concentrated power around itself.
