Sudan army calls on reservists, ex-soldiers to re-enlist as fighting continues

Sudan's military has called on reservists and retired officers to re-enlist amid persisting clashes with a rival militia despite a standing ceasefire, further demanding the United Nations to replace its envoy in the North African nation.

The call on Friday for ex-soldiers to report to their nearest military barracks was intended to boost the power of the army in the battle against the Rapid Support Force (RSF) militia and is expected to further intensify clashes between the warring military factions.

This is while an army spokesman claimed the recruitment call would be voluntary, although Sudan's existing military law states that retired soldiers remain as reservists and thus eligible for mandatory re-enlistment. This, however, does not include those who have completed two years of compulsory Sudanese military service.

Sporadic fighting has continued throughout the week, although ceasefire monitors from Saudi Arabia and the United States claimed earlier Friday that adherence to the truce was improving despite indications that Sudan's military is preparing for a protracted conflict.

Meanwhile, press reports cited sources within Sudan's presidential office as saying that Army Chief Abdel Fatteh al-Burhan demanded in a Friday letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the replacement of his envoy to the country, Volker Perthes.

Perthes, appointed in 2021, has reportedly pushed for a political transition to civilian rule that some in the Sudanese military had opposed.

"The Secretary-General is shocked by the letter," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric unveiled on Friday, saying: "The Secretary-General is proud of the work done by Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative."

Sources within the Sudanese military also claimed that the army had intercepted weapons smuggled into one of the country's Red Sea province by a foreign country, without elaborating on details.

The army and RSF began a seven-day ceasefire on Monday to allow access to aid and services after fighting in mid-April left hundreds dead and triggered a refugee crisis.

Despite the reduction in fighting, there were still reports throughout the week of skirmishes, artillery fire and airstrikes.

Residents of Khartoum who remain in the city suffer from the failure of electricity, water, sanitation and communication services.

MG