Tensions Soar in Sudan: Who Destroyed the Vital Nile River Bridge?

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group long in conflict with the Sudanese government, denies responsibility for the destruction of the bridge over the Jebel Awlia Dam on the Nile River. Meanwhile, the government’s military accuses the RSF of being behind the act.

The bridge, located 40 kilometers south of the capital, Khartoum, stands 40 meters tall and spans 1,700 meters in length. The nearby dam stores three billion cubic meters of water, essential for agricultural activities, especially irrigation, in Sudan, a country known for its extreme heat.

The exact party responsible for the bridge’s damage remains unclear, as both sides blame each other. The destruction of the bridge has raised concerns about potential flooding along the Nile in various parts of the country.

According to Reuters, fighting has escalated in the southern part of Khartoum in recent days, displacing thousands of residents. Earlier this month, the RSF announced it had captured government military positions in the area. Due to the widespread destruction of communication infrastructure, determining the number of casualties in the ongoing conflict remains a significant challenge.

After gaining control over a large portion of Khartoum, the RSF has been attempting to expand its territory southward. This conflict, now in its seventh month, began due to disagreements between the RSF, led by General Mohamad Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, and the government forces, represented by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also heads the ruling Military Council.

The dispute revolves around unfulfilled agreements to merge the RSF with the national army and disagreements over how to command the unified forces. The conflict has resulted in many casualties and forced some foreign nationals residing in Sudan to flee.

The RSF, formed in 2013 by former Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir, who was ousted in 2019, is composed of former Janjaweed militia members.

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