April 15, 2023
As fighting broke out between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) earlier today in Khartoum and other areas of Sudan, we condemn the use of violence in all forms. We call for an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians, for those targeting civilians to be held accountable, safe access for medical treatment, and for regional actors to not support any party to the conflict.
This is sadly a scenario that has been possible since the coup but was never taken seriously enough by the international community. In the cases of both the transitional government formed in 2019 and the subsequent coup of October 2021, Burhan and Hemedti were both given the benefit of the doubt that they could right their wrongs, find common ground and do what was needed to get Sudan on the track to be a democratically led country. If the world had looked realistically at the human rights records of both the former Janjaweed (now RSF) and the National Congress Party (NCP) dominated SAF, the foregone conclusion would have been that this was never going to happen.
The Janjaweed was formed under the leadership of former President Bashir and unleashed unrelenting violence on civilians in Darfur over the past twenty years. The rebranding as the Rapid Support Forces in 2013 did not make them any less dangerous. The SAF has its own set of human rights violations that have been committed for decades, including in Darfur. None of this should be forgotten when looking at the role both forces have played following the revolution. Both took part in the coup that overthrew Bashir in 2019 but by placing themselves in power, they clearly ignored the demands of the Sudanese people who led a revolution in order to achieve freedom, peace and democracy - not a new authoritarian regime. The international community's decision to wait and see how the various actors in the transitional government would work together before taking punitive measures against the perpetrators of the coup set a dangerous precedent. This unwillingness to acknowledge the wrongdoings and concerns with both Burhan and Hemedti sent a signal that they could push the boundaries further without repercussions. Hence the military coup of October 2021, which removed the civilian elements of the transitional government. Even then, the international community did little more than make statements of concern, further communicating that aggressive actions to undermine the transitional process would be tolerated.
In the months following the December signing of a Framework Agreement, and a path towards formation of a new transitional government, there was one clear stumbling block - security sector reform. In this current context, both Hemedti and Burhan have far too much to lose in unifying as one military under a civilian led government. For Hemedti and RSF, the loss of power by folding into the military was always unacceptable. Burhan and SAF have long opposed Hemedti. The continual growth of his forces and economic prowess (through illicit means) have become intolerable for them.
This leads us to today. The situation is incredibly concerning as both sides have too much to lose and the condemnation they have both expressed about each other’s actions makes it hard to see a clear path to de-escalation. The risk of mass casualties is high and the Sudanese people have already paid much too high a price for their desired freedom. No matter what the international community does at this point is too little, too late but it is still necessary in order to prevent further atrocities.
The UN Security Council must convene an emergency session and make a unified call for an end to hostilities. The statements and messages coming from various entities involved in negotiations including regional and international governments must not end with words. They must be followed by consequences for the actions of those involved in the violence. Impunity can no longer be an option; If it hadn’t been an option following the Darfur genocide, Sudan might not be in the position it is today. It’s not too late to right the wrongs of history. The Sudanese people believe in their country and we must steadfastly stand with them.