EXPLAINER: What’s Happening in Sudan? (Burhan vs Hemedti)
Someone asked for an explainer on what is happening in Sudan in an easy-to-understand format. So here it is:
Why is everyone evacuating their citizens from Sudan?
Serious fighting is taking place in that country to the south of the Sahara.
How did they get here?
The two top generals in the country are fighting — Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese army and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti) of the Rapid Support Forces, RSF (a paramilitary group).
What? Do they not have a president to put them in check?
No, they ganged up to organize a coup to send their president away. In 2019, President Omar al-Bashir was ousted from power. Al-Bashir had been the longest-serving leader of Sudan since the country gained independence in 1956, and the people were just tired of him. He was a really corrupt guy. For instance, $130 million was found in his home. He even went to jail after the coup.
I see. So who is the Head of State?
Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan of the Sudanese army is the defacto leader. When al-Bashir was removed, the two groups formed a transitional coalition, called the Sovereign Council, together with civilian groups. A civilian, Abdalla Hamdok, was made Prime Minister. But two years later, in 2021, the two armed groups dislodged him when he asked for a full transition to civilian rule. The PM and multiple government ministers and officials were arrested.
LOL. Sounds familiar.
As predictable as clockwork. Gen. Burhan, the head of the army, became the leader, and Gen. Hemedti, the head of the paramilitary group, became his deputy.
Lemme guess…they are the ones fighting now?
That’s right.
But how can a paramilitary challenge the army?
Because this paramilitary group called RSF is as powerful as the army. The RSF evolved from the janjaweed militia of the Darfur Region, the scariest militant group Bashir, the former president, used to quell regional uprisings and oppositions against him during the Darfur crisis and uprisings. RSF used to have access to the National Intelligence and Security Services of Bashir when he was president. Hemedti, their leader, was Bashir’s trusted man. Over the years, Hemedti has forged powerful ties both in the region and internationally. He sent RSF forces to fight Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen, allying with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. All for profit. Gen. Hemedti is considered one of the richest men in Sudan thanks to a range of businesses, including gold mining he had access to when Bashir was president.
Interesting. So what’s causing their fight now?
In December 2022, after much pressure from the international community, a new transition plan to democracy was launched. A final deal was due to be signed this April, on the fourth anniversary of the overthrow of long-ruling autocrat Omar al-Bashir. The RSF says the army does not want to absorb them into their midst. The army says it’s not so simple and that they have a timetable for the absorption. There are reports that General Burhan is not happy that Hemedti is aligning himself more closely with civilian parties from whom the civilian president may come. Burhan says he supports the idea of returning to civilian rule but that he will only hand over power to an elected government. Hemedti says he’s trying to remove himself from Islamist-leaning Bashir loyalists and veterans who have deep roots in the army. There is also the question of who will become the leader of the army after RSF has been integrated into the army.
But why did the army throw the first blow?
The Army said they had to stop RSF because they were deploying troops all over the country. Indeed, no sooner had the fight broken out on April 15 than RSF claimed they had seized the Khartoum airport, the presidential palace, as well as an airport and airbase in Merowe. The Sudanese army dismissed the claims as lies and maintained that it still controls all bases and airports.
Hmmm… what’s the situation now?
As of 23 April, more than 420 people have been killed, and more than 3,700 injured, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The US State Department confirmed on 21 April that an American citizen was also killed. The US isn’t taking any chances and has cleared out its embassy in the capital of Khartoum. Other countries, like France, Germany, Japan, and the UK, have also moved to evacuate their diplomats. Thousands of residents have fled using unsafe roads, many to their deaths.
What about Nigerians?
Over 5000 Nigerians are stranded in Sudan right now. Yesterday, the Federal Government said it is waiting for the Sudanese Government to give assurance before evacuating Nigerian students.
Which Sudanese government?
I’m not Nigeria’s foreign minister, please.
So, no end in sight?
It doesn’t look like the violence is going to end anytime soon. Sudan’s army has reportedly said it won’t negotiate with the paramilitary forces. Turkey, the US, UAE, Egypt, and others have called for immediate peace and offered to help mediate. Meanwhile, the UN called the situation in Sudan “catastrophic.” Some aid groups have also had to postpone humanitarian aid to the country because of the violence. Experts are worried the conflict could turn into a civil war — which could threaten access to freshwater in the Nile, affect gold trade, and create another refugee crisis in the region.
