According to a report, beginning on 15 April a said to be struggle to control natural resources has led to the 120,000 man army in Sudan being challenged by a 150,000 strong rapid defence force. Reportedly, a 72 hour ceasefire began at midnight on Monday. Previous ceasefires have been called off. According to a report. the fighting has led to an estimated 10-20,000 women and children fleeing to neighbouring Chad. Reportedly the u.s. have evacuated embassy staff in Khartoum, and France have launched a rescue operation for friends añd allies. According to a report, a french convoy came under fire while trying to leave the embassy in Khartoum.
Reportedly, an in ternational consortia operate in Sudan’s oil industry. Sudan has a history of displacement of people living in an oil rich area such as Darfur. According to a report, former Darfur politicians who have recently left prison under unknown circumstances are to be tried by the international criminal court, said to be for inciting numerous attacks on the civilian population in Darfur though the area was devoid of a rebel presence. Reportedly, only the u.s. company Chevron are said to have the technology for oil exploration in Darfur.
According to a report, Sudan has proven oil reserves of 97.8 times their annual consumption, and is Africa’s third largest producer of gold. Reportedly, international military groups were suspected of smuggling gold out of Sudan.