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A truck carrying gunmen affiliated with Sudan's army drives on a street in the eastern city of Gedaref
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DARFUR - As Sudan’s devastating conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rages on, new militias are forming, posing an ominous threat to the war-torn nation's future. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has already displaced over 11 million people, with millions more facing famine and widespread rights abuses.
In eastern Sudan, regions like Kassala and Gedaref—currently spared the worst fighting—are witnessing a rise in armed groups recruiting young men like Mohamed Idris, a 27-year-old disillusioned university graduate. Idris and others have joined militias aligned along ethnic and tribal lines, training in camps reportedly set up across the border in Eritrea.
These groups, while not yet active in the current war, are feared to be preparing for future conflicts. Analysts warn that their emergence reflects the deepening fragmentation of Sudan, where decades of civil wars have bred numerous armed factions.
Historically, Sudanese governments have relied on militias to secure territory, but experts caution that empowering such groups only entrenches their influence, further weakening the state. Observers note that both the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, increasingly depend on irregular forces to sustain their operations.
However, this reliance has led to splintering within their ranks, complicating command and control. The International Crisis Group reports that both sides are increasingly fragmented, with the RSF devolving into a collection of tribal militias and warlords, while Burhan's alliances with communal militias and remnants of the former regime risk undermining his authority.
The rise of these militias signals not just the continuation of Sudan's current war but the likelihood of further conflicts. With each new armed group, the prospects for a unified and peaceful Sudan grow dimmer.
Source: Daily Mail
