Hemedti's vision out of crisis: 'Establishing the new Sudanese state'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Aug 2023 17:46
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RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) commits the forces to the grounding principles that have been put forward previously: multicultural federal rule, democratic elections, and a unified national army.

In this April 30, 2019 file photo, Sudanese Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the deputy head of the military council speaks at a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan. (AP)

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan announced their openness for a long-term ceasefire with the Sudanese Army and Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), the RSF leader, presented his vision of "establishing the new Sudanese State" as an initiative that could revive attempts to hold direct talks between the warring parties.

As the Sudanese conflict enters its 20th week without any apparent victor, Hemedti issued a statement, on Sunday, in which the RSF appeared ready to negotiate with the Sudanese Army in the hope of shaping Sudan's future. The statement hoped to bypass the technicalities of a permanent ceasefire that has hampered mediation efforts sponsored by Saudi Arabia and the US.

رؤية قوات الدعم السريع للحل الشامل وتأسيس الدولة السودانية الجديدة
1/2 pic.twitter.com/XVxDgOohcn
— Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (@GeneralDagllo) August 27, 2023

Hemedti explained that "the war taking place in Sudan is a reflection or manifestation of the protracted Sudanese crisis" and underscored that "this requires that the search for a long-term ceasefire agreement be coupled with the principles of a comprehensive political solution that addresses the root causes of Sudan's wars."

In accordance with the vision of the "founding of the new Sudanese State," Hemeti committed the RSF to deep-rooted principles, such as multicultural federal rule, democratic elections, and the establishment of a unified national army.

Sudan war to consume entire country, UN says

Sudan is facing an unprecedented crisis as a deadly combination of war and hunger threatens to plunge the nation into chaos, the United Nations said in a dire warning earlier on Friday, August 25.

The ongoing conflict between rival military factions could result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of malnourished children and the potential collapse of the entire country, the United Nations highlighted.

The conflict erupted on April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

What began as a power struggle has quickly escalated into a humanitarian catastrophe. The situation is dire, with the war exacerbating existing challenges, including hunger, disease, and displacement.

Since hostilities broke out, around 5 million people have left Khartoum, the capital province of Sudan, Siddiq Hassan Freini, the province's minister for social provision, said last week.

According to Freini, the armed war has made the province's poverty worse.

Martin Griffiths, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, stated, "The war in Sudan is fuelling a humanitarian emergency of epic proportions. This viral conflict – and the hunger, disease, and displacement left in its wake – now threatens to consume the entire country."

According to estimates from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project, nearly 5,000 lives have been lost due to the conflict. Tragically, many more casualties remain unaccounted for as the ongoing battles hinder the recovery of bodies.