The Birthday of a Young Man Over Seventy!

Mahjoub Fadl Badri
Everyone over seventy has felt their bones grow frail and their hair turn grey. The army is older than all of them, yet it remains young — indeed, in the very prime of youth — as it celebrates its seventy-second birthday! And the army is not like some women who decline to reveal their true age or attempt to conceal the signs of ageing with make-up and the like!
The army is, in fact, one hundred years old. However, it has traditionally celebrated the anniversary of the day the first Sudanese officer assumed the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces as we know them today — an army that, indeed, “the enemy knows as well as the pangs of his own hunger”.
Yes, Sudan’s enemies have known the Sudanese army since the days of the jibba and robes, the kulla and turban, leggings, boots and military kit. They have known the army’s skilful work with the “Abu Khamsa” and “Abu Ashara” rifles, the bayonet, heavy artillery and grenades, before relatively modern weaponry began to be introduced gradually.
The army learnt how to develop both itself and its personnel, progressing from the Military School to the Military College, the Command and Staff College and the Higher War Academy, as well as sending personnel on an endless succession of training courses. It ultimately mastered the technologies of modern warfare, including military science, air-defence systems, combat aviation, drones and a wide variety of smart weapons and other advanced systems.
Nor did the army confine its development to its own ranks. Its services extended to civilians as well. The Medical Services Directorate established hospitals whose presence reached towns and villages throughout the country, creating institutions of which communities could be proud. Karary University was established to supply the army with young, qualified personnel while also providing holders of the Sudanese School Certificate with opportunities for university education. As for the Corps of Engineers, people have witnessed how it has constructed roads and bridges and assisted in disaster prevention and response.
The fact remains that a weapon does not fight by itself. It must be wielded by men of great courage, sound judgement, unwavering determination and faith that cannot be shaken by adversity, together with knowledge of the art and planning of war at both strategic and tactical levels. These are the qualities possessed by the men of the army — commanders, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers alike. Wars are not won merely by numbers or weaponry, but through preparation, readiness and belief in the cause, preceded by faith that victory rests with God alone, without partner.
As the army celebrates its seventy-second anniversary, seeing — God willing — the first signs of victory appearing before it, with its people rallying around it from every direction and its enemies plotting against it — may evil befall them — duty requires the army to demonstrate through deeds what it intends for the post-war period. The country’s circumstances as a whole cannot return to what they were before this war, which was ignited by the sinful militia in pursuit of the delusional ambitions of the ignorant Dagalo clan to establish their purported “Attawa State” upon the ruins of the “State of 1956”, and in fulfilment of the price they received for serving a malevolent mini-state coveting our country’s wealth and the resources of our people.
But the people’s Armed Forces stood ready to confront them, drawing upon their expertise and unprecedented popular support. There can be no doubt that the Popular Resistance, the Joint Forces and the mobilised volunteers made an undeniable contribution in providing support. Yet this came after the army had absorbed the initial blow, stood as steadfast as the mountains, and suffered successive ranks of martyrs, wounded personnel and prisoners, at a time when the armed movements had chosen neutrality!
Our army thus provided an extraordinary example of patience and steadfastness — for “true patience is shown at the first shock”.
Peace be upon our army whenever its ranks stand shoulder to shoulder and its men close ranks.
Peace be upon our army whenever the parade forms for roll call and the instructor commands, “No talking!”
Peace be upon our army whenever it enters battle, or the commander orders, “Cease fire!”
Peace be upon our army whenever drill begins in the name of steadfastness and courage, and the instructor calls, “Rifles according to the strength of the unit!”
Peace be upon our army whenever its soldiers devote themselves to physical fitness and master the arts of marching and military drill.
Peace be upon our army whenever a new recruit has his hair cut to a number one and learns the commands “Attention!” and “Dress!” — counting off as one unit.
Peace be upon our army whenever a soldier takes the oath as a witness, or the bugler sounds the call outside the commander’s office.
Peace be upon our army whenever the call rises: “The Great Salute — Present Arms!” and all voices fall silent until the morning sun rises.
Peace be upon our army, in movement and at rest, whenever its soldiers chant their marching refrain: “We are the brothers of the girls.”
Among the stories told in military gatherings is one concerning the commander of the Camel Corps, Brigadier Hassan Mohammed Al-Amin. He once assigned an officer who was relatively new to the Camel Corps the task of clearing rainwater from the training butts at the firing range in Umm Jalbaq.
As there was a great deal of water, the officer obtained a suction pump from the Water Authority — after all, military life requires initiative! The pump began draining the water from the firing-range butts.
The commander then arrived to inspect the work. He found the soldiers standing in formation while the pump was doing all the work!
He shouted at the top of his voice:
“Officer! Are you trying to ruin the soldiers of the Camel Corps?!”
His thunderous rebuke continued:
“Camel Corps soldiers carry the water out with their haversacks and steel helmets!”
The pump was immediately switched off, and the soldiers removed all the water by hand, exactly as their commander had ordered.
Congratulations to our army on its seventy-second anniversary as it records victory after victory.
May our army prosper year after year.
Peace be upon our army, upon the heritage of our army, upon the commanders of our army, upon its officers, and upon its non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=16836