SLM’s Minawi clarifies position on neutrality in Sudan’s conflict
November 29, 2023 (ADDIS ABABA, – Minni Minawi, leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), has clarified his position on neutrality in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, emphasizing that it is not absolute and can be abandoned if civilians and the public facilities are attacked.
His remarks come two weeks after a joint press conference with Gibril Ibrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and Mustafa Tambour, head of a faction of the SLM, in which they announced that they were no longer maintaining a neutral stance from the conflict.
Minawi explained that the decision to maintain neutrality, made last May in with the other signatories groups, was based on an assessment that the war is between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, he stressed that this neutrality is conditional upon both parties refraining from attacking civilians and public property.
“There is no absolute neutrality, but it is conditional on the warring parties’ commitment to the war between them,” Minawi asserted.
He noted that over the past seven months, the army has remained within its garrisons, and their violations have been limited to indiscriminate artillery shelling or bombing by Antonov planes, which have resulted in civilian casualties.
“However, in reality, all violations against citizens were committed by the Rapid Support Forces,” he asserted. “Therefore, we said this is unacceptable. This does not mean siding with one side against another, but rather with justice.”
The SLM leader declined to answer a question regarding the participation of his forces in the fight against the RSF in the event of an attack on El Fasher. He simply stated that such discussions were premature, saying, “You cross the bridge when you reach it.”
Regarding the coordination of Abdel Wahid’s forces with the signatories to the Juba peace agreement, Minawi confirmed their arrival to El Fasher, indicating that the move was not based on prior coordination but rather on their initiative after evaluating the situation and the repeated attacks carried out against civilians by the RSF.
On November 16, Mona Minawi, Gabriel Ibrahimi, and Mustafa Tambour from Port Sudan announced their departure from neutrality due to the practices of the RSF and the crimes and violations they committed.
They stressed that the repeated attacks on civilians and commercial convoys make them “free from any neutrality and participate in military operations on all fronts without the slightest hesitation.”
Minni Minawi, Gabriel Ibrahimi, and Mustafa Tambour, from Port Sudan, declared their decision to abandon neutrality on November 16. They attributed this decision to the RSF crimes and violations pointing to the recurrent assaults on civilians and commercial convoys. They expressed their unwavering commitment to engaging in military operations on all fronts without hesitation.
Minawi revealed that he received a call from Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF commander, on Tuesday, November 28. However, he did not disclose the contents of their conversation.
He also pointed out that the Sudanese Islamists have now divided into three groups: those allied with the army, others from Darfur and Kordofan who joined the RSF, and a third faction allied with the Forces of Freedom and Change.
Minawi reiterated his commitment to the unity of Sudan, warning that the RSF’s seizure of power would inevitably lead to the disintegration of the country and the establishment of mini-states in the Nuba Mountains, Jebel Marra, eastern Sudan, and other parts of the country.
(ST)