Clashes Erupt in Sudan

Clashes between elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and a government paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Force (RSF), have erupted in Khartoum, Dryad Global’s latest Maritime Security Threat Advisory (MSTA) has announced.

“Clashes have spread throughout Sudan with 97 reported dead after three days of fighting,” Dryad stated in the MSTA, which was published on April 17.

“Early reports indicate that Port Sudan remains under the control of government forces with no impact at either Port Sudan or Al Khair terminal. Marsha Bashyer and wider Sudanese ports are also operating at the time of publication,” Dryad added.

In the latest MSTA, Sudan has a “substantial” risk and impact rating and Port Sudan has a “moderate” risk and impact rating.

According to BP’s latest statistical review of world energy, which was published in June last year, Sudan produced 64,000 barrels of oil per day in 2021. Back in 2011, the country produced 291,000 barrels of oil per day, BP’s report showed. 

Deep Concern

In a speech made during a trip to Japan, which was published on the U.S. Department of State’s website, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said he and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who was also in the country, had been “consulting very closely on the situation in Sudan”. 

“We’ve also been in close touch with partners in the Arab world, in Africa, in international organizations. There is a shared deep concern about the fighting, the violence that’s going on in Sudan; the threat that that poses to civilians, that it poses to the Sudanese nation, and potentially poses even to the region,” Blinken said in the statement.

“There is also a very strongly shared view about the need for Generals Burhan and Hemeti to ensure the protection of civilians and noncombatants as well as people from third countries, including our personnel who are located in Sudan; and also a strongly held view – again, across all of our partners – on the need for an immediate ceasefire and a return to talks, talks that were very promising in putting Sudan on the path to a full transition to civilian-led government,” he added.

“For our part, we’ve also been closely in touch, of course, with our own embassy to make sure that our personnel is safe and accounted for, which is the case. And we’re also closely in touch with any American citizens in Sudan to make sure that those who are registered with the embassy and that we’re actually in contact with get all the information they can about how to remain safe and secure,” Blinken continued.

UN Condemnation

In a statement prior to his opening remarks to the Economic and Social Council Forum on Financing for Development in New York, which was published on the UN website, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he strongly condemned the outbreak of fighting that is taking place in Sudan.

“Any further escalation could be devastating for the country and the region,” Guterres said in the statement. 

“I urge all those with influence over the situation to use it in the cause of peace; to support efforts to end the violence, restore order and return to the path of transition,” he added.

To contact the author, email andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com