100 days into Sudan war as mediation efforts prove unsuccessful.

(Reuters) – Clashes continue in Sudan as the conflict enters its 100th day, with ongoing mediation attempts by regional and international powers failing to find a resolution.

The conflict began on April 15, when clashes broke out between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for control of power. Since then, over 3 million people have been displaced, including more than 700,000 who have fled to neighboring countries. The health ministry reports 1,136 people killed, although officials believe the actual number is higher.

Neither the army nor the RSF has been able to claim victory, as the RSF’s dominance on the ground in the capital Khartoum is countered by the army’s air and artillery firepower. Infrastructure and government in the capital have deteriorated, and fighting has spread to the fragile Darfur region and the south, where the rebel SPLM-N group is attempting to gain territory.

Over the weekend, the RSF entered villages in Gezira State south of Khartoum, prompting air strikes by the army, according to witnesses. In Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, clashes have been ongoing in residential areas since Thursday, resulting in at least 20 deaths and the displacement of 5,000 families, as reported by medical and United Nations sources.

Residents have accused RSF soldiers of looting and occupying parts of the capital. The RSF has promised to investigate these claims.

While both sides have shown willingness to engage in mediation efforts led by regional and international actors, none have yielded a lasting ceasefire. Delegations from both sides have participated in talks in Jeddah, but these ceasefires have often been violated.

However, the Sudanese foreign minister stated that indirect talks have not yet begun seriously.

The army and RSF have led a joint council since the removal of Omar al-Bashir in 2019 but have diverged on plans for a transition to democracy. Civilian political groups and the RSF have accused the army of tolerating the presence of wanted Bashir loyalists in recent days.

The Forces of Freedom and Change, the main civilian coalition, is currently holding a meeting in Egypt, which has offered to mediate in the conflict.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Dubai, Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo, Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah in Khartoum; Editing by Nick Macfie)