What do the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan's Unrest Refer to?

 

General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who is currently the deputy head of Sudan’s, ruling Sovereign Council, is in charge of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF paramilitary group and Sudan's military are currently involved in intense fighting in the capital city of Khartoum and other parts of the country, which has sparked concerns about the possibility of a civil war.

According to the Sudanese Doctors Union, at least 56 civilians have lost their lives in the clashes, which began on Saturday. The tensions between the army and RSF have been escalating for several months. The paramilitary group claims to have taken control of the Presidential Palace and Khartoum International Airport in what appears to be a coup attempt, but the military chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has denied these allegations.

To better understand the situation, it is important to have some background information on the RSF.

What is the Origin of RSF?

The RSF originated from the Janjaweed militias, which were used by the government of former President Omar al-Bashir to quell a rebellion in the Darfur region during the 2000s. The conflict resulted in an estimated 300,000 deaths and the displacement of 2.5 million people. Government officials and militia commanders were accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.

With the passage of time, the Janjaweed militias evolved into the RSF, which was created in 2013 with the primary purpose of serving as border guards. The RSF joined forces with the Sudanese army and sent troops to fight in Yemen alongside Saudi and Emirati forces in 2015. That same year, the group was granted the status of a "regular force", and in 2017, a law was passed legitimizing the RSF as an independent security force.

Despite being accused of human rights abuses in regions such as South Kordofan, the Blue Nile, and Darfur, the RSF has continued to expand, with analysts estimating that the group has approximately 100,000 fighters. In a 2015 report, Human Rights Watch described the forces of the RSF as "men with no mercy.

RSF Leadership: Who is in Charge?

General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as “Hemedti” or “Little Mohamad,” commands the RSF and currently serves as the deputy head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council. Dagalo was born into a poor family that settled in Darfur during the 1980s. He left school after the third grade and made a living trading camel before becoming a Janjaweed leader during the Darfur conflict.

As the RSF gained more prominence and became increasingly involved in Sudan's security matters, Dagalo's business interests flourished, aided by former President al-Bashir. His family expanded its business holdings in gold mining, livestock, and infrastructure.

Timeline of Dagalo's Rise to a Senior Government Position

In April 2019, the RSF was involved in a military coup that overthrew former President al-Bashir, who had been ruling Sudan for 30 years. Following months of protests against al-Bashir's regime, a power-sharing agreement was reached between the military and the pro-democracy movement. This agreement established a joint military-civilian council to govern Sudan for the next three years until elections could be held.

Dagalo was appointed as the vice chairman of the council under al-Burhan's leadership. Abdalla Hamdok, a prominent economist, was sworn in as Sudan's prime minister and head of the transitional cabinet. However, before signing the deal, activists accused the RSF of being involved in the killing of dozens of pro-democracy protesters.

In October 2021, the RSF participated in another coup with the army, which disrupted the transition toward a democratically elected government. This action sparked new mass demonstrations for democracy across Sudan, which continue to this day.

What has led to the tensions between the Sudanese army and RSF?

The integration of the RSF into the regular armed forces has been a point of contention between the army, pro-democracy groups, and the RSF itself. The army and pro-democracy groups have demanded the integration, while the RSF has resisted, fearing a loss of power. Adel Abdel Ghafar, a fellow at the Middle East Council, has explained that the RSF's refusal to integrate has been a major obstacle to achieving a final agreement on the transition to a democratically elected government.

Negotiations on integration have been a source of tension, causing delays in the final signing of a new transition agreement originally scheduled for April 1. Reportedly, Dagalo and al-Burhan have not been able to reach a consensus on who should be the commander-in-chief of the military during the multiyear integration period. The RSF has argued that the civilian head of state should hold this position, while the army has rejected this proposal.