The internet is still up and running – no doubt because the military wants to make sure their version of events and their propaganda narrative out, suggests BBC Sudan analyst James Copnall.
But electricity is down in many places and water supplies to homes have been cut, leaving terrified residents no choice but to venture onto Khartoum’s streets in search of drinking water.
Sudan is a majority-Muslim country and the fighting has brought an abrupt end to the kind of outdoor socializing that usually happens during Ramadan after the day-time fast is broken.
On Sunday and early Monday, the RSF claimed to occupy sites in Khartoum such as the presidential palace.
But some accounts indicated that the army had regained control of the airport, with the military saying they were dealing with “small pockets of rebels“.
The army previously denied that the RSF had seized key sites in the capital, and witnesses in the country told Reuters news agency that the army appeared to be making gains after blasting RSF bases with air strikes.
Residents of Khartoum have spoken of fear and panic and reported gunfire and explosions.
“We live on a rooftop on the third floor and the airplanes fly really close to the roofs and its terrifying,” Duaa Tariq told the BBC.
She said she was running out of food and water.
Another Khartoum resident, Kholood Khair, said residents could not be sure of safety anywhere.
“All civilians have been urged to stay at home, but that has not kept everyone safe.”
The major sticking points between the army and RSF are over the plans to incorporate the 100,000-strong RSF into the army, and over who would then lead the new force.
A chorus of international voices has called for a permanent end to the violence.
Leading Arab states and the US have also urged a resumption of talks aimed at restoring a civilian government, while the African Union has announced that it is sending its top diplomat, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to try to negotiate a ceasefire.
Egypt and South Sudan also offered to mediate between the warring factions, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.
The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors reported 97 civilians killed and dozens among security forces dead, as well as 942 people injured.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization says more than 83 people have been killed and more than 1,100 people injured across the country since Thursday when the RSF began mobilizing its forces.
It does not specify how many civilians have died in the fighting.
Among the dead are three staff members of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), which has suspended its operations in the country.
In a statement, the WFP said it was “horrified” by the news of the deaths, adding that one of its aircraft had been damaged at Khartoum airport during an exchange of gunfire on Saturday, which it says impacted its ability to provide aid.
Facts
* Sudan is in north-east Africa and has a history of instability: It fell under military rule in 2019 when long-time leader Omar al-Bashir was toppled
* Since then, two men have been in charge: The head of the army and his deputy, who is also the head of a paramilitary group called the RSF
* They disagree on how to restore civilian rule to Sudan: The RSF leader claims to represent marginalized groups against the country’s elites but his forces were accused of ethnic cleansing
