dw.com
Sudanese Army Recaptured Wad Madani from RSF
The Sudanese army and allied forces recaptured the strategically important city of Wad Madani from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on January 11, 2025, after intense fighting; the RSF vowed to retake the city.
- What is the immediate impact of the Sudanese army's recapture of Wad Madani on the ongoing civil war?
- The Sudanese army, supported by allied forces, regained control of Wad Madani on January 11, 2025, after intense fighting. This strategically important city, south of Khartoum, had been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since December 2023. The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared this a significant victory.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of this military victory for Sudan's stability and future?
- The recapture of Wad Madani could signify a strategic advantage for the Sudanese army, potentially influencing the overall conflict trajectory. However, the RSF's vow to regain control highlights the ongoing instability and the war's uncertain outcome. The long-term implications remain unclear, given the continued communication disruptions and ongoing conflict.
- What are the underlying causes of the conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)?
- The recapture of Wad Madani marks a major turning point in the Sudanese civil war, which began in April 2023. The army's offensive against the RSF, culminating in this victory, suggests a potential shift in momentum. The RSF commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, vowed to retake the city, indicating continued conflict.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing heavily favors the Sudanese army's narrative. The headline and opening sentences immediately declare the army's victory. The use of quotes from the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the army's announcements emphasizes their perspective. The RSF's response is relegated to a later section and presented as a promise of future action, diminishing its significance. The video evidence is presented without independent verification, further strengthening the army's narrative.
Language Bias
The article uses loaded language such as 'epopeya inspiradora' (inspiring epic), 'milicia terrorista rebelde' (terrorist rebel militia), and 'enormes pérdidas' (enormous losses) to describe the conflict, clearly favoring the army. The term 'pesadilla' (nightmare) further dramatizes the conflict and negatively characterizes the RSF. Neutral alternatives could include 'significant gains', 'paramilitary group', and 'substantial losses' instead of the loaded terms used.
Bias by Omission
The report focuses heavily on the military's perspective and claims of victory, omitting potential perspectives from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) beyond a brief statement from their leader. Casualties on both sides are not detailed, and the impact on civilians is not explicitly addressed. The verification challenges due to communication disruptions are acknowledged but don't lead to a deeper exploration of alternative information sources or verification methods.
False Dichotomy
The narrative presents a stark "victory/defeat" dichotomy, neglecting the complexities of the ongoing conflict. The statement that the victory 'represents the beginning of the end' of the conflict is overly simplistic and ignores the possibility of protracted conflict or RSF counter-offensives. The characterization of the RSF as a "terrorist rebel militia" is a highly charged term that presents a biased interpretation.
Gender Bias
The article focuses on military leaders and their statements, not explicitly mentioning the role of women in the conflict or the impact on female civilians. The lack of gender-disaggregated data on casualties or displacement suggests a potential gender bias by omission.
Sustainable Development Goals
The recapture of Wad Madani by the Sudanese army represents a potential step towards restoring peace and stability in the country. The ongoing conflict has caused immense suffering and displacement, undermining justice and strong institutions. While the conflict is far from over, this military victory could signify a shift in momentum towards ending the violence and establishing more stable governance.