US condemns violence and establishes task force as Sudan crisis threatens democratic transition.
The US State Department has established a special task force to address the ongoing crisis in Sudan, as fighting between rival armed forces threatens the country’s democratic transition. The Sudan Military Conflict Task Force will oversee the department’s planning, management and logistics related to events in Sudan. The US has condemned the violence, which broke out in Khartoum on Saturday between members of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, reportedly leaving hundreds dead and injured. The fighting has since spread across the country. The two groups had previously united to stage a coup that returned the country to military rule, but have since turned on each other amid power-sharing disagreements. US officials said they are unaware of any US citizens being killed or injured in the violence. The US embassy in Khartoum has suspended routine consular services and is only providing emergency consular assistance as the security situation allows.
