RSF militia poses security risk, warns Sudan army
Sudan’s military has said that the recent mobilisation by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the capital Khartoum and other cities is fuelling tension and poses a danger to the nation’s security.
The powerful RSF, which emerged from militias involved in the conflict that broke out in Darfur 20 years ago, is led by Gen Mohamed Dagalo.
It was legitimised in 2013 and is now thought to be a force of about 100,000.
The military said the latest moves were a breach of the law and the RSF’s own regulations.
“Their continuation will inevitably result in more divisions and tensions that could undermine the nation’s security,” military officials said.
“These movements and redeployments were carried out without the approval of the leadership of the armed forces or even consultations with it.”
This is the first time the armed forces, led by military ruler Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, have explicitly addressed differences with the RSF or complained about the paramilitary group’s tactics. It follows months of speculation that tension was rising between the two sides.
Warning of possible clashes between the two sides, the military said: “The armed forces has tirelessly sought peaceful solutions to these breaches in order to safeguard public safety and the wish not to see an armed conflict destroying everything.”
The RSF, which has been deployed in Khartoum since 2019, has vast economic interests, including gold mining.
It independently procures weapons abroad and hires foreign military advisers.
Gen Dagalo says he supports the principle of a “single army” but has tacitly resisted demands by pro-democracy groups and the military for the RSF to be integrated into the armed forces.
Gen Al Burhan insists that he will not sign off on a deal ending the country’s current political deadlock if it does not contain clear language on a timeline for RSF integration.
The two generals – both rumoured to have political ambitions – jointly staged a military takeover in October 2021.