Sudan’s military-led government has formally lifted a curfew and state of emergency in Khartoum, a measure enacted more than two years ago following the army’s seizure of control from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This decision, officially announced 18 months after the RSF’s takeover, represents a significant shift in the conflict’s trajectory and escalating instability within the country. The lifting of the curfew, a move that has been widely interpreted as a strategic effort to restore normalcy to the capital, follows a protracted and increasingly fraught civil war that has been underway for four years, now significantly impacting Sudan’s borders. The initial curfew, established in February 2023, was implemented in response to the RSF’s aggressive expansion of its control over the country, marking a pivotal moment in the conflict’s escalation. Prior to this, Sudan experienced a period of intense fighting, with over two million people fleeing Khartoum following the April 2023 war erupted, with the International Organization for Migration estimating that approximately five million people have returned to the city since the end of the conflict in March 2025. The government’s stated aim of facilitating life back in Khartoum is now being tested by the continued clashes across Sudan’s borders, particularly in the south and west. Recent reports indicate significant damage to infrastructure and a pervasive lack of electricity, largely attributed to alleged RSF drone attacks targeting electricity grids and a severe lack of government funding to address the damage. A spokesperson for the Khartoum state government, Altayeb Saadeldin, stated that the targeting of the electricity sector, particularly copper wire and fuel, represents a major factor driving the outages, along with alleged RSF drone attacks. A source within the RSF acknowledged these allegations, stating that they were ‘incorrect and army propaganda.’ Despite the lifting of the state of emergency, authorities remain wary of RSF infiltration, as evidenced by increased security patrols and stringent identification requirements for locals traveling at night. The Sudan News Agency reports ongoing security sweeps across greater Khartoum, targeting alleged sleeper cells of the RSF, undocumented foreigners, and criminals involved in illegal activities. The recent attack on a Chadian convoy, prompted by the US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, triggered a heightened alert across the border. The UAE and Chad have denied allegations of a direct involvement in the incident, citing similar findings by UN experts and investigative reports by international media. The US has condemned the SAF’s recent air strikes inside Chad, arguing that this action threatens regional peace and stability. The US envoy has urged all parties to accept a humanitarian truce, while increasing frustration with the Sudanese military’s refusal to engage in a peace process unless the RSF disarms and withdraws from the territory it has occupied. The UAE and Chad have stated that they do not endorse the US’s call for a weapons embargo on Darfur, which serves as the stronghold of the RSF. The conflict has also drawn international attention as neighboring countries, notably Chad, have accused the military of conducting an air strike that hit a military convoy in Ennedi-Est province, about 100km (62 miles) inside Chadian territory, on August 20th. The Sudanese government has rejected this claim, asserting that it is surprised by the blame assigned to its military. The United States has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council that would extend a 2005 weapons embargo on Darfur, across the entire country, and include a ban on attack drones, which are increasingly used by both sides. Sudan has stated that it rejects the proposal, arguing that it unfairly equates the recognized national military with a paramilitary force and restricts its ability to defend its citizens against an insurgency. This development underscores the deepening crisis within Sudan and the potential for further regional instability, with international financial and military support for the warring parties continuing to be a source of concern.
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Source: BBC Africa
