Sudanese Defense Minister: Defeating the Rapid Support Forces is a prerequisite for political transition
In recent statements, the Sudanese Defense Minister asserted that the Sudanese Armed Forces are close to achieving a decisive victory over the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), indicating that this "imminent defeat" will be the cornerstone for reopening the door to a stable political transition in the country. These statements come at a time of rapidly evolving developments on the ground in Sudan, as the military seeks to consolidate its control and restore security as a prerequisite for any future political arrangements.
Background of the conflict and disruption of the democratic process
To understand the implications of this statement, we must return to the roots of the crisis that erupted in mid-April 2023, when political tensions between the army, led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), escalated into bloody military clashes. Prior to the outbreak of war, Sudan was slowly moving towards signing a framework agreement aimed at transferring power to civilians and ending the military rule that followed the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir's regime. However, the sound of gunfire halted all political processes and plunged the country into a dark tunnel of violence, postponing any talk of political transition until the military situation was resolved.
Strategic importance and political messages
The defense minister's statement carries profound implications that extend beyond the purely military sphere. It sends reassuring messages to civilian political forces and the international community that the military does not intend to remain in power indefinitely, but rather links its continued rule to ending the rebellion and restoring the state's authority. Observers believe that linking the "imminent defeat" to a political transition is an attempt to preempt any external initiatives that might equate the two sides of the conflict, and to reaffirm the army's legitimacy as the sole national institution authorized to protect the constitution and pave the way for elections.
Humanitarian and regional repercussions
This military optimism cannot be separated from the grim humanitarian reality in Sudan. The war has triggered one of the world's largest displacement crises, with millions of Sudanese fleeing their homes to safer states or neighboring countries such as Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan. Achieving military stability and ending the presence of militias within cities is a prerequisite for the return of these displaced people and for ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid, which has been severely hampered by the fighting. Furthermore, the international and regional community is closely watching the end of this conflict, given its direct impact on the security of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. The restoration of the Sudanese state's cohesion is considered essential for international peace and security.
In conclusion, the hope remains that the Sudanese army will be able to translate the field progress into a tangible political reality that restores Sudan to its democratic path and turns the page on the war that has burdened both the citizen and the state.
