Divergences over RSF’s integration timeline delay security workshop recommendations

March 29, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The security and military reform workshop concluded, on Wednesday, without reaching final recommendations, following the emergence of differences over the integration of the paramilitary forces.

The last workshop in the political process was designed to reach an agreement on the multiplicity of armies created by the former regime and to integrate these militias into the national army together with the combatants of the former rebel groups.

However, the sudden withdrawal of representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) from the closing session of the workshop sparked widespread rumours about the fate of the ongoing political process, which is set to culminate with the signing of the final agreement on Saturday.

To explain the move, a senior military official told Sudan Tribune that the final recommendations of the workshop ignored SAF proposals related to the timeline of integration of the Rapid Support Forces (SAF) over two years.

“The proposals, also, stipulated the cessation of any new recruitment, an agreement be reached during the first months of the transition on a unified command including amending the RSF Law to include the article re-placing the RSF under the command of SAF”.

“The Trilateral Mechanism and the political parties sided with the Rapid Support Forces,” the official added.

After the collapse of the former regime, General al-Burhan cancelled the RSF subordination to the national army, but the decision angered the army. The military intelligence aborted several coup attempts rejecting the creation of a parallel army.

Al-Burhan recently said that the army accepted the political process because it provides the full integration of the RSF in the SAF.

An official in the Rapid Support Forces told Sudan Tribune that the army leaders endorsed a draft agreement on the principles and foundations of security and military reform on March 15th.

“All parties to the political process signed the draft on the principles and foundations of security and military reform, which provides to integrate the RFS during ten years. The army commander-in-chief approved and signed this clause,” he said.

The RSF official stressed that the draft, once signed by all the parties, has become the working paper for the workshop.

Several sources said that there are further frictions including justice and the removal of politized military elements.

SAF reiterate commitment

In a statement released late in the evening, the Sudanese army spokesman issued a statement reiterating SAF’s commitment to the ongoing political process.

“The army is awaiting the meeting of the technical committees tasked with completing the details related to the integration and modernization processes (…),” said the statement.

“These details should be part of the final agreement,” stressed the short statement.

Meetings will continue

Khalid Omer Youssif, the official spokesman of the political process, stated that the parties would continue discussions to finalize the conclusions of the workshop.

“What is left is some technical work to complete the details and include them in the final political agreement,” he stressed.

(ST)