Sudanese armed forces released a statement on Thursday warning of the prospect of confrontation after the mobilization of a paramilitary organization led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in Khartoum and other towns.
When they did, they called the acts of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) an “obvious breach of the law” that slowed the country’s transition to democracy.
“These moves and deployments occurred without the consent or even collaboration of the military command,” according to the army spokeswoman.
If they continue, tension and division will certainly worsen, presenting a danger to national security.
The army has exercised authority over all of the country’s armed forces, while the RSF has sought independence. Sudanese population is longing for peace and prosperity after decades of oppression under Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
The RSF is a powerful paramilitary force formed from militias during the Darfur crisis 20 years ago. They are accused of committing major human rights crimes.
In 2019, it worked with the military to depose Bashir. In October 2021, the two groups attempted another revolution.
Dagalo, formerly known as Hemedti, is Sudan’s second-in-command of the military council. He recently abandoned the military in favor of a civilian political partnership.
The signature of an agreement with political parties for a two-year civilian-led transition to elections, funded by international funders, has been postponed due to worsening tensions between the military and the RSF.
According to two military sources, Dagalo and the military have been at odds over his refusal to provide a firm timeline for the RSF’s integration into the army.
Dagalo has emphasized in multiple speeches that a confrontation with the army would result in a prolonged period of instability in a country that is already witnessing economic collapse and outbreaks of tribal strife.
The RSF, which is regulated by its own set of rules and functions under a different chain of command, has previously said that its activities extend across the nation.
Worried about Dagalo’s intentions, the governing council’s head, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, allegedly ordered more soldiers to be stationed in Khartoum on high alert.
Dagalo controls tens of thousands of RSF troops and has acquired immense mineral resources.
Fadlallah Burma Nasir, the head of the National Umma Party and a retired soldier, called a meeting with the military and RSF leadership and warned, “If we are not careful, the situation will exceed all of our previous political mechanisms and processes, and we can learn from the mistakes of many countries in the region.”
