31st July, 2023
Sudan’s civil aviation authority has prolonged the shutdown of Sudan’s airspace until August 15, save for humanitarian relief and evacuation flights, Khartoum International Airport stated in a statement issued early Monday.
Sudanese airspace was restricted to regular traffic after a military battle occurred in mid-April between the country’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The deposition of long-time authoritarian leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019 inspired initial hope for a return to civilian administration in Sudan.
However, a military coup two years later collapsed the transitional civilian administration, causing political and economic chaos and reigniting intercommunal hostilities.
On April 15, 2023, an armed confrontation between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, competing factions of Sudan’s military government, erupted, with fighting centred in Khartoum and the Darfur area.
So far, 11 attempts to end the dispute have failed.
Sudan was Africa’s largest and most physically diversified state until it was split in two in 2011 after southern Sudan voted for independence.
This followed decades of struggle by the predominantly Christian and Animist south against Arab-Muslim hegemony.
Around 17.3 million Sudanese people lack proper access to clean water, placing them at risk of disease.
Approximately 24 million people lack access to basic sanitation services. Hunger is a major concern, with one-third of the population currently suffering from severe food insecurity.
Reuters/NAN