Will the RSF Return?

Umayya Yousif Hassan Abu Fadaya
A few years ago, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had established near-complete control over the capital following the dissolution of the Operations Authority and the takeover of its headquarters, the force had, in practice, placed itself above the law. It had extended its security, economic and political influence over the key institutions of the state.
At the time, we warned political and military leaders—both privately and publicly—of the dangers of allowing a paramilitary force to monopolise the country’s resources and authority. Yet we were repeatedly reassured that this was merely a temporary transitional arrangement designed to protect the fragile transition from external threats and from what was described as the “deep state”.
Today, I sincerely hope we will not once again be compelled to sound the same warnings—this time about the risks posed by the presence of auxiliary forces in the so-called safe cities of northern, eastern and central Sudan, as well as in Khartoum, particularly in light of the growing number of reported confrontations between these forces and civilians. Past experience has shown that the presence of multiple armed formations within urban areas inevitably creates security and political challenges that must be addressed wisely, promptly and decisively.
At the same time, there has been official rhetoric accompanying the efforts of the Committee for Facilitating the Return to Khartoum State, chaired by Lieutenant General Ibrahim Jaber, which aims to remove military displays from the capital, including unregistered vehicles or those without number plates. This is a positive step, and one that we hope will be extended to all safe cities, reinforcing the authority of the state and affirming that the legitimate use of organised armed force must remain exclusively within recognised state institutions operating under the rule of law.
Security and stability can only be preserved through a clearly defined security authority, unity of military command, and avoidance of the mistakes that previously cost the country so dearly. Remembering those lessons is not an exercise in pessimism; it is an act of national responsibility and a determination not to repeat past crises.
As the old Arab proverb warns:
“I see beneath the ashes the glow of a fire, and I fear it may soon burst into flames.”

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=15359