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Janjaweed still threatening Sudan, PM cries out
By John Eche
Some 34 years after its emergence and despite its being integrated into the broader security architecture of the country, the insistence by elements of the Janjaweed to remain a parallel force in the country is still threatening the peace of the country and even imperiling the current transition process, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has cried out.
Though he did not outrightly call them out by name, those in the know of the situation in Sudan and how the nation and region has managed the crisis of its Arab-linked pastoralist communities can easily place a finger on the veiled reference.
According to Hamdok, Sudan was at risk of chaos and civil war on account of the destabilising antics of loyalists of the previous regime as evidenced in recent days when young men carrying clubs and sticks blocked roads in the capital Khartoum following the removal of fuel subsidies.
The notable international civil servant, who serves under a fragile military-civilian power-sharing deal that is expected to last until the end of 2023, and leading to elections, is linking the core of the crisis to the continuing divisions within the country’s security sector.
“The deterioration of the security situation is mainly linked to fragmentation between components of the revolution, which left a vacuum exploited by its enemies and elements of the former regime. These fragmentations can lead us to a situation of chaos and control by gangs and criminal groups, just as it can lead to the spread of conflict among all civilian groups and might lead to civil war,” he lamented.
Things are clearly not being helped by the crippling economic situation even as inflation hit 379% in May, food shortages are rampant and electricity or water outages occur daily. But the big elephant in the room continues to be the discord within the security sector.
Former President Omar al Bashir had approved a special status for the elements of the Janjaweed upon their incorporation into the broader security framework of the Armed Forces of the Sudan but they continue to exist as a somewhat stand-alone security apparatus that has over the years continued to be linked to a slew of rogue operations and activities.
The group is presently led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagolo who doubles as Head of the Special Rapid Forces and Deputy Head of the governing council.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok
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