The Sudanese military on Thursday warned against the mobilization and redeployment of forces by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and other cities, reported The TRT World.
In recent months, the tension between the Sudanese military and the RSF has escalated over the proposed timeline for the integration of the RSF into the military, political, and military sources.
The army is demanding two years’ time for the reintegration, but the RSF says 10 years will be needed and that restructuring should include internal reform within the army.
The disagreement has resulted in a delay in the signing of a final agreement aimed at restoring the country’s democratic transition that followed an October 2021 coup.
Back in December last year, Sudan’s ruling military junta and civilian leaders gave a nod to a political framework agreement aimed at the restoration of a civilian-led government. The final deal was set to be signed on April 1. The signing was delayed until April 6 over disagreements on the terms of the deal. On Thursday, the signing was delayed again for a second time.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Sudanese military said the deployment of RSF forces in Khartoum and other cities across the country has come without “the approval of, or coordination with” the armed forces leadership.
It said the paramilitary troop’s redeployment has led to fear among people, increased security risks, and tensions between regular forces.
The military said it has attempted to find peaceful measures to avoid such violations and prevent any conflict with the RSF.
The RSF claims that its mobilization of forces across the country is aimed at boosting security and stability and fighting human trafficking as well as illegal migration.
The RSF, led by powerful Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, was formed out of former militias that executed a brutal crackdown in Sudan’s Darfur region over the past two decades. The paramilitary group has also been used in the crackdowns against protests and other rebel activities across Sudan.
