Paramilitary Unit in Sudan’s Leader Claims Still Committed to Single Army

The leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of extensive violations of human rights, declared on Sunday that he was dedicated to integrating the force into the country’s restructured armed forces.

General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the RSF, and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of Sudan, participated in a coup in 2021 that terminated a ruling alliance between the military and pro-democracy forces and threw the nation into political and economic chaos.

The RSF is the main paramilitary organisation in Sudan. It came from the “janjaweed” forces, which were blamed for crimes committed during the Darfur conflict in the early 2000s.

Human rights organisations have also charged them with killing numerous demonstrators since Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by the military in 2019. Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has refuted the majority of these allegations, blaming spies, while allowing select soldiers to face charges.

The integration of the RSF into the main military and the creation of a single army have been demanded by pro-democracy organisations and army officers.

The military leadership and political groupings have reached a preliminary understanding, and talks are currently taking place to formally establish a new political settlement and form a new government.

But, Burhan stated in a speech on Thursday that the army would only back the agreement if it allowed for the inclusion of the RSF.

Dagalo affirmed the validity of the RSF on Sunday.

He declared in a speech that “we are really dedicated to being involved in security and military reform” and that “we are committed to the notion of a single military constituted according to agreed-upon deadlines.”

The RSF is acknowledged as a force alongside the military, police, and general intelligence in the framework agreement, which was signed in December. It also asks for integration and names the head of state as its supreme commander.

The Sudanese military, which Dagalo described as a “historic institution,” “will not be conquered by any party.” We shall make every attempt to protect it from anyone who mistreats or denigrates it since we are a part of it.

Also, he issued a warning against any meddling by Islamists who lost power in the nation in 2019 after Bashir was deposed.

Reuters