Are you ready for some drama? Well, buckle up because things are heating up in Sudan. Nurhan, a military leader, and his posse known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Vice President Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (aka Hemedti), are at it again. This time they’ve taken their quarrel to Khartoum and other cities, causing a ruckus that’s even involved some airstrikes. Yep, bombings between military factions just like in the movies, only with a much darker twist. Over 180 people have already died, and the UN expects the number to rise. Welcome to the Hunger Games, Sudan edition.
These two military cronies already have quite the history. They both built their careers by brutally cracking down on a rebellion in Darfur, which is viewed as genocide. Hemedti is best known for leading an Arab militia known as the Janjaweed, which later blossomed into the RSF. They were part of the same military force in 2019 that ousted the country’s former dictator, Omar Hassan al-Bashir. However, instead of helping to build a democratic system, they teamed up in 2021, bringing the civilian-led government down. These guys are like those dysfunctional couples you see on reality TV – they just can’t live with or without each other.
These two chaps are essentially warlords, and now they’re locked in battle with one another like two grizzly bears fighting over a fresh salmon. Both sides have soldiers stationed all over the country and are fighting like it’s the end of the world. This battle is the ultimate power struggle that will determine who gets to control Sudan. There’s no telling who will emerge the victor, but one thing’s for sure – Sudan’s future will not be boring.
Burhan and Hemedti were supposed to be guiding Sudan back to democracy, but it seems that they’ve lost their map. They just couldn’t figure out how to form an apolitical army, so they started fighting instead. Their little feud has already dashed hopes of quick democratic rule restoration. Please, folks, take note – do not count your chickens before they’re hatched. It looks like this squabble will linger on for a while, with many fearing that it could spread across the country’s borders if nobody puts a stop to it. Good luck, Sudan.
As if things weren’t already complicated enough, outside forces are making things even messier. The interim government is being boosted financially by billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Egypt has also ramped up its support for Burhan’s forces. And to spice things up (like this plot needed more spice!) Russia has developed ties with Hemedti’s forces. Wagner, a Russian mercenary group that raised plenty of eyebrows for its activities in West Africa, has reportedly been involved in Sudan’s conflict. Meanwhile, Sudan’s gold mines are significant economic drivers, and many fear that they may fall into the wrong hands. Just your usual West Asia-Africa political cocktail. Yummy.
It’s not just a battle between two Sudanese military factions anymore, but Soviet vs. American-style influence across the Horn of Africa. Russia is eyeing Sudan’s Red Sea coast, and Egypt is looking to Burhan as a source of stability amidst squabbles with Ethiopia. This is like a game of Risk, only without a board. Things just keep getting more frenzied.
Western nations are calling for an end to the conflict, but both military leaders have vowed to crush each other. These guys are not backing down without a fight. Sudan is in desperate need of cash injections, but with these two clowns running the show, that’s not happening anytime soon. Sudan’s economy has already gone down the drain, and the country’s inflation rate keeps skyrocketing. This is not the kind of economic recovery that Sudan had in mind.
So what’s the verdict? Are these two Sudanese warlords to be trusted? No way, Jose. Activists and civilians have been warning everyone not to put their trust in these two villains. They’ve been causing mayhem for years, so why believe that they’ll stop now? Hopefully, the international community will listen to those who know these leaders the best. When it comes to Burhan and Hemedti, it’s best to keep them at arm’s length.
Serious News: washingtonpost
