Sudanese army retakes key city of Gezira state

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have recaptured Wad Madani, the capital city of Gezira State in central Sudan, from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to a statement from the SAF spokesperson’s office.

“The command of the SAF congratulates our honourable people on the entry of our forces into Wad Madani this Saturday morning, where they are currently engaged in cleaning up pockets of resistance by the rebels inside the city,” the statement said on Saturday.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry also hailed the recapture of Wad Madani as a significant victory. “The victory signifies the beginning of the end of the nightmare which has burdened the Sudanese people for nearly two years, represented by the rebel militia,” the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Sudanese soldiers shared video clips from inside the command headquarters of the 1st Division of the SAF in Wad Madani, which had previously been controlled by the RSF. Activists posted videos showing citizens in the city celebrating, chanting, and waving to military units as they entered.

Major Sudanese cities, including Atbara, Port Sudan, Omdurman, and Kosti, also witnessed popular demonstrations celebrating the recapture of Wad Madani.

Since early January, the SAF had launched a major ground operation to regain control of the city, which is located about 189 km from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

In December 2023, the RSF took control of Gezira State after the SAF withdrew from Wad Madani.

The RSF has not yet commented on the SAF’s announcement of retaking the city.

Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating conflict between the SAF and RSF since mid-April 2023, which has resulted in at least 29,683 deaths and displaced nearly 15 million people, according to the latest estimates by international organizations.