Khartoum, March 22, 2025 — Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF) have successfully seized control of the Central Bank headquarters in Khartoum, marking a significant turning point in their ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The capture comes just a day after SAF troops retook the highly symbolic Presidential Palace, signaling what military commanders are describing as a “decisive advance” in the months-long struggle for dominance over the capital.
According to military spokesperson Brigadier General Khaled Al-Mahi, SAF units launched a well-coordinated assault on the Central Bank building early Saturday morning, following heavy overnight clashes in the surrounding districts. By mid-morning, SAF forces had reportedly secured the premises, raising the national flag and deploying additional personnel to fortify the area.
“This victory represents a strategic breakthrough. Controlling the Central Bank cuts off key financial resources that the RSF has been exploiting to fund their operations,” Al-Mahi stated during a press briefing.
He further emphasized that the SAF is now focused on stabilizing the area and ensuring public institutions resume normal operations.
Eyewitnesses in Khartoum described the scene as tense but cautiously optimistic.
“There was intense fighting all night, but now the streets around the Central Bank are under SAF control. Soldiers are patrolling, and some residents are cautiously returning to their homes,” one resident told local media under conditions of anonymity.
The RSF has yet to release an official statement regarding the loss of the Central Bank. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that their fighters have withdrawn to other strongholds in Omdurman and southern Khartoum, regrouping for potential counterattacks.
The Central Bank's capture is more than just a tactical gain—it carries significant economic and symbolic weight. Over the past year, both warring factions have vied for control over Sudan’s financial infrastructure, aware that dominance over key institutions could sway both domestic and international perceptions of legitimacy.
Sudan has been embroiled in violent conflict since April 2023, when tensions between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (also known as Hemedti), erupted into full-scale warfare. Efforts by regional mediators and international bodies to broker a ceasefire have repeatedly failed, leaving millions displaced and the country’s economy on the brink of collapse.
International reactions to SAF’s recent advances have been mixed. The African Union has called for restraint, urging both sides to return to the negotiation table. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have expressed concern over the safety of civilians trapped in conflict zones, warning that the intensifying battle in Khartoum could worsen the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
As of now, the SAF appears to have the upper hand militarily, but analysts caution that a protracted conflict could continue unless a political solution is reached.
