Sudan’s Militia-Driven Fears: A Cycle of Conflict Looms BODY: Khartoum, Sudan – A haunting cycle of conflict looms over Sudan as young militiamen, some as youthful as 15, patrol the streets of Khartoum, their pickup trucks adorned with missiles.
The specter of the 2019 conflict, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) turned against the Sudanese army, remains vivid, and the current reliance on various militias by the Sudanese army has reignited fears of a similar outcome.
The RSF, once a state — backed paramilitary force, has become a central figure in the ongoing conflict, which has since taken over 200,000 lives. Now, the Sudanese army’s strategy to employ a coalition of militias raises concerns that the same mistakes are being repeated, and the same cycle of conflict may soon resume. Civilians in Khartoum and other army-controlled cities are increasingly wary of the presence of these armed groups, each with its arsenal and fighters.
Despite the government’s technical ban on them carrying weapons, their visibility in public spaces remains unchallenged. “.
The government’s technically banned them from carrying weapons, but in the markets, on the streets, you still see them everywhere. It’s frightening, “a 50-year-old father in Khartoum.
The situation is further complicated by the presence of multiple armed groups within army — controlled territory.
The Joint Forces, a coalition of former Darfuri rebel militias, the Sudan Shield Forces, which defected from the RSF, and the Baraa ibn Malek Brigade, an Iran — linked Islamist force, have all expanded their ranks and acquired their own weaponry since the war began in April 2023. Each group operates under its own agenda, raising questions about the long-term stability of the country. “We’ve seen this scenario over and over.
It’s the same old mistakes, and it’s only a matter of time before they turn on each other, “a 30-year-old Sudanese writer, who requested anonymity for security reasons, expressed.
The repeated scenario is a concern for many, as it suggests that the same mistakes made in the past are being repeated. Despite the current concerns, there remains a lack of clarity regarding the specific measures being taken by the Sudanese government to prevent the militias from turning on each other.
Additionally, the human rights of children and young people involved in the militias are also a matter of concern, with little known about the protection measures in place.
The international community’s role in resolving the conflict and supporting peace efforts in Sudan is also a topic of interest. How the international response has evolved since the RSF turned against the army in 2019 remains a question, with hopes that the global community will take a more proactive stance to prevent the escalation of violence.
As Sudan grapples with its internal conflicts, the fear of a cyclic war looms large.
The current reliance on militias, combined with the lack of effective measures to prevent their escalation, paints a concerning picture for the future of the nation and its people.
The hope is that lessons from the past are learned and that steps are taken to prevent a recurrence of the devastating conflict that has already cost so many lives.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
—
This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: AfricaNews
