Source: The Hindu
Context:
India has started ‘Operation Kaveri’ to evacuate its nationals owing to the Current Crisis in Sudan.
About Operation Kaveri:
Indian Government undertaking rescue operation to bring back Indian citizens stranded in Sudan
Official data suggests approximately 4,000 Indians currently in Sudan
Two C-130 aircraft and navy ship INS Sumedha on standby for evacuation
Reason for Evacuation:
- Deadly fighting between Sudanese army and paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
- Conflict reportedly resulted in several hundred deaths
- Current Crisis in Sudan
Background:
President Omar al-Bashir overthrown by military generals in April 2019 after widespread protests.
Power-sharing body called Sovereignty Council established to lead Sudan to elections by end of 2023.
Military overthrew transitional government led by Abdalla Hamdok in October 2021.
Recent Developments:
General Burhan and General Dagalo became de-facto leaders of Sudan.
Power struggle between Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) generals.
Preliminary deal reached in December 2021 for political transition, but negotiations hit a roadblock over RSF integration with SAF.
Disagreements over timetable and security sector reforms led to tensions and clashes.
Dagalo wanted to delay RSF integration for 10 years, while army said it should take place in the next two years.
About RSF:
- RSF stands for Rapid Support Forces
- It is a group that evolved from Janjaweed militias which fought in the conflict in the 2000s in the Darfur region in West Sudan.
- The RSF was created in 2013 and its forces were initially used as border guards.
- In 2015, the RSF began sending troops to fight in the war in Yemen alongside Saudi and Emirati forces.
- It has been accused of committing human rights abuses in various states including South Kordofan and the Blue Nile.
- In a 2015 report, Human Rights Watch described its forces as “men with no mercy”.
Impact of the Current Crisis in Sudan
- The conflict between the army and RSF may make Sudan’s transition to democracy more difficult.
- There is a risk that the tussle could escalate into a wider conflict leading to the country’s collapse.
- Sudan’s struggling economy, battered by hyperinflation and massive foreign debt, has been further impacted by the crisis.
- Billions of dollars in international support and debt relief were frozen after the ouster of the Hamdok government.
- The conflict may spill over into neighboring countries and destabilize the region, particularly Chad and South Sudan.
- There is a risk of major external intervention if the fighting continues, and refugees from Sudan’s contested areas have already fled to Chad.
