Darfur governor Minni Arko Minnawi renewed his call for civilians in the region to take up arms to defend themselves.
The former rebel leader was quoted by Al Arabiya saying the “current situation necessitates taking up arms”.
He said his administration was leading efforts to stop the fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army, particularly in Darfur. The Sudan conflict is now in its fourth month.
Mr. Minnawi has made similar remarks in the past. His comments raised fears that Darfur, which is divided into five states, could descend into an all-out civil war amidst growing ethnic tensions.
Elsewhere in the country, fierce fighting was reported between the army and the RSF in Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri, the three cities that make up Sudan’s capital.
Eyewitnesses in Khartoum said the army carried out the “heaviest” airstrikes so far against RSF positions in several areas. The army said it killed 18 RSF fighters in clashes in Omdurman and Khartoum.
Renewed clashes were also reported in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, after a lull in fighting.
The fighting has persisted despite continuing indirect talks between the army and RSF representatives in the Saudi city of Jeddah.
The ongoing war between Sudan’s military and a paramilitary force has also placed the country in jeopardy of not being able to feed itself. This has thrown many people into deeper depths of hunger and poverty.
Delays in the planting season are also “partly due” to farmers not being able to receive any credit from banks. The farmers are also unable to afford the high prices of items like fertilizer and fuel.
The food insecurity has further trickled down to the fighters as they struggle to feed themselves amidst war.
Hungry RSF soldiers have been accused of allegedly raiding an animal sanctuary and shooting dead a camel and two deers. The soldiers then took the animals with them, threatening to come back for more.
Additional reporting by Sauce News Team
