Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (AP)
CAIRO (AP) — A powerful paramilitary commander slammed Sudan’s ruling generals Tuesday, saying they oppose stepping down to allow for a democratic transition under a civilian administration.
Gen.Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces,[1] said his conflict with other military leaders, which has become public in recent weeks, is centered on the issue of handing over power to civilians.
“We are against anyone who wants to be a dictator,“ he told RSF troops at a military base in the capital of Khartoum.
Sudan was plunged into chaos after a military coup[2] removed a Western-backed government in October 2021, stalling its short-lived transition to democracy after nearly three decades of autocratic rule under President Omar al-Bashir. The coup came more than two years after a popular uprising forced the removal of al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019.
Under mounting pressure, the generals and pro-democracy groups reached an initial agreement in December that would allow the formation of a civilian government. Other groups, including rebels, opposed the deal and internationally backed talks were still ongoing to have them join the Framework Agreement, a condition the military has set to hand over power to civilians.
The dispute between Dagalo and other military generals has escalated in recent weeks. The RSF commander, who is backed by the United Arab Emirates, has recently become critical of other military leaders, partly over the issue of handing power to civilians but also over the incorporation of his powerful force into the military as stated in the Framework Agreement.[3][4]
The rhetoric has fueled concerns of possible clashes between the military and Dagalo’s paramilitary force, best known for its scorched-earth campaigns in the Darfur conflict[5], and its leading role in the June 2019 deadly break-up of a protest camp[6] outside the military’s headquarters in Khartoum.
In his speech, Dagalo played down any tensions between his forces and the military as an institution.“There is no problem between the military and the Rapid Support (Forces),” he told cheering RSF troops. “We want to achieve a true democratic transition. We want this country to rise.”Dagalo did not offer evidence to support his claim that the country’s military leaders are opposed to handing over power to civilians. But his comments Tuesday were apparently referring to Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, chairman of the ruling sovereign council.A spokesman for the military did not answer calls seeking comment. Burhan has previously said they were ready to hand over power once civilians settle their disputes.Both Burhan and Dagalo, who is also the deputy chairman of the sovereign council, led the 2021 coup. However, Dagalo has in recent months sought to reinvent his public image and that of his forces. He portrayed himself as a defender of the restoration of democratic transition, describing the coup as a “mistake.”In his speech Tuesday, Dagalo said that foreign countries including wealthy Gulf monarchies and European governments have made restoring the democratic transition a condition for resuming assistance to Sudan.Many foreign governments and international institutions ceased providing aid to Sudan following the coup and have pressed Burhan and Dagalo to rescind their grip on power.“Any party we ask to support Sudan, it tells us: after the formation of the civilian government,” he said.JOIN THE CONVERSATION Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free)Sign InRegisterReferences
- ^ Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, (apnews.com)
- ^ a military coup (apnews.com)
- ^ The dispute between Dagalo and other military generals (apnews.com)
- ^ the Framework Agreement. (apnews.com)
- ^ its scorched-earth campaigns in the Darfur conflict (apnews.com)
- ^ the June 2019 deadly break-up of a protest camp (apnews.com)
- ^ Code of Conduct (www.thestar.com)
Newer articles:
- Tanzania political maturity deserves emulation - 09/03/2023 00:37
- Impunity drives cycles of ‘horrific’ crimes in South Sudan, Human Rights Council hears - 08/03/2023 07:02
- Nicholas Haysom Interview: South Sudan must choose between ‘stable and democratic’ future, or more conflict - 08/03/2023 06:58
- South Sudan thanks India for its support, advice - 08/03/2023 06:17
- UN restores voting rights for Lebanon, Gabon, South Sudan, passes on Venezuela - 08/03/2023 06:15
Older news items
- EU imposes global sanctions over rights abuses against women - 08/03/2023 02:16
- Women march as rights under threat across the globe - 08/03/2023 01:23
- UN envoy says 2023 is a `make or break’ year for South Sudan - 07/03/2023 07:40
- Chinese envoy calls for immediate lifting of sanctions on South Sudan - 07/03/2023 06:26
- Sudan: Network Airline Services now UK cargo GSA for Badr Airlines - 07/03/2023 00:30
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan lawyers petition against extension of transitional period - 26/09/2024 12:37
- South Sudan military blames rebel group for deadly bus attack - 26/09/2024 12:33
- South Sudan medics trial AI app to identify snakes and improve bite treatment - 26/09/2024 12:31
- South Sudan: extension of transitional government will compound dire human rights crisis - UN experts - 26/09/2024 12:26
- Aiding Flood Victims in South Sudan, Faith Leaders Work on Long-Term Solutions - 26/09/2024 12:21
Random articles (all categories):
- U.S. Quietly Gives Up On South Sudan War Crimes Court - 20/07/2021 05:27
- UAE- President of South Sudan visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - 23/04/2019 21:42
- From climate change to LGBTQ, Ruto tests his balancing act - 05/04/2023 00:47
- U.S. struggling to win enough votes for South Sudan arms embargo - 30/11/2016 13:36
- At UN, South Sudan Says Won't Leave Heglig Until Monitors, SC All Syria - Inner City Press - 13/04/2012 00:00
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 49988 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22113 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21204 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 18522 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 16553 times