Two-year curfew lifted in Sudan's capital

The military-led government of Sudan has lifted the two-year curfew and state of emergency in the capital city of Khartoum, according to state media. This decision comes 18 months after the army regained control of the capital from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and has been engaged in a civil war for the past four years. However, clashes still persist in the south and west, with growing evidence that the conflict may be spilling over into neighboring countries.

Since the end of the fighting in March 2025, more than two million of the approximately five million people who fled Khartoum have returned to the city, according to the International Organization for Migration. The government has taken steps to restore normalcy to the capital, including reopening the main airport for select flights and encouraging businesses and embassies to return.

Yet, residents continue to face challenges in rebuilding their lives, with widespread damage, looted buildings, and constant power outages caused by alleged RSF drone attacks on the electricity infrastructure and a lack of government funds for repairs.

The targeting of the electricity sector has been particularly severe, with the Khartoum state government spokesperson, Altayeb Saadeldin, stating that looting of copper wires, fuel, and other components, as well as drone attacks, have contributed to the outages. In response, an RSF source has denied these allegations, calling them "incorrect and army propaganda."

Despite the lifting of the state of emergency, the authorities remain vigilant against RSF infiltration, with security patrols continuing to operate across the state and residents required to carry identification documents when traveling at night. The army is conducting security sweeps targeting alleged RSF sleeper cells, undocumented foreigners, and criminals involved in illegal activities.

However, there are concerns that the war is drawing in neighboring countries, with Chad accusing the Sudanese army of carrying out an air strike on a military convoy in Ennedi-Est province, located within Chad's territory. Sudan has rejected these claims, asserting its commitment to respect the sovereignty of neighboring states.

The United States has expressed deep concern over the risk of Sudan's war threatening regional peace and stability, urging all parties to accept a humanitarian truce and end external financial and military support to the warring factions.