U.S. imposes sanctions on Sudanese paramilitary leader; boosts humanitarian aid
NPR Online NewsSep 01, 2023
The Facts
The Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company (GNPOC) Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Sudan's capital, caught fire on Sunday during violent clashes between the warring Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Other key buildings in Khartoum — including the Ministry of Justice on the western side of the army's defensive perimeter — also caught fire due to the heavy fighting, which entered its sixth month.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
It's undeniable that Washington and other Western nations are significantly responsible for the fighting in Sudan. The US failed to rein in the country's top generals when mounting tensions between forces led by Burhan and Dagalo indicated that a prolonged conflict was likely to erupt.
Pro-establishment narrative
Since the explosion of violence in Sudan, the US has worked hard to tamp down the violence, bring a peaceful solution, and provide safe passage for humanitarian aid. The US is doing its part in enabling diplomatic resolution and committing itself to supporting refugees until a permanent agreement is reached.
Cynical narrative
Each warring side in Sudan is still battling for supremacy over the country, which indicates they're in no way serious about ceasefires or peace talks. If the two continue to see each other as an existential threat, it will be impossible to find the middle ground necessary to stop the fighting and prevent the nation from being destroyed.
