The strategically important country in northeastern Africa has been consumed by turmoil after overthrowing a dictator in 2019, with plans for a civilian-led democracy now in shambles.

A former camel trader who led a militia accused of genocidal violence in Darfur, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, widely known as Hemeti, leads the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary unit.

Little known before 2019, he rose to power in the aftermath of the military-led coup that ousted Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the longtime leader who was deposed after popular uprisings.

Hamissi Mamba, a refugee from Burundi, knew little of American culture when he arrived eight years ago and learned English watching the “Peppa Pig” cartoon. But he opened his dream restaurant, and the accolades have rolled in.

Residents reported clashes between the army and a powerful paramilitary group across the city, after weeks of mounting tensions between military leaders.