The World Briefly
April 14, 2023Armed Regrets
Sudan
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The Sudanese military warned Thursday of potential conflict in the African nation after the country’s powerful paramilitary force began mobilizing its troops in the capital and other cities over the past few days, the Middle East Eye reported.
The army issued a statement condemning the movements of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), saying they represent a “clear violation of law” and have come without “the approval of, or coordination with” the armed forces’ leadership.
It added that the RSF’s mobilization efforts “will inevitably cause more divisions and tensions that may lead to the collapse of security in the country.”
Earlier this week, reports emerged that the RSF had deployed troops in the capital Khartoum and the northern city of Merowe.
The announcement and troop movements are part of an ongoing crisis in Sudan, which has been trying to transition to a civilian-led government following a military coup last year.
The recent events also underscore a continuing power struggle between Sudan’s de facto head of state, General Abdul-Fattah al-Burhan, and his deputy, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, chief of the RSF.
Tensions between the two leaders have escalated in recent months, resulting in the signing of an internationally backed agreement – originally scheduled for April 1 – to name a Sudanese civilian government and launch a new transition toward elections, being twice delayed.
The disagreements stem from the RSF’s integration into the military, which was mandated in the framework agreement for the transition inked in December.
The deal is thought to benefit Dagalo, which is why the paramilitary leader has publicly supported it.
A draft of the final agreement calls for the integration of Sudan’s military and RSF – as well as former rebel movements – within 10 years. Meanwhile, the Sudanese Armed Forces expect the integration process to take two years.
The dispute heated up last month when Burhan demanded that the RSF be integrated into the military. Dagalo reacted defiantly, stating he regretted the October 2021 coup he helped orchestrate with Burhan.
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