Darfur governor calls for unified Sudanese army after war
October 20, 2024 (PARIS) – Darfur Governor and Sudan Liberation Movement leader Minni Minawi called for the formation of a single army after the end of the war, saying it was a necessary condition for stability and democratic rule in the country.
Speaking at a meeting in Paris on Saturday, Minawi denied seeking political or military gains in exchange for his participation in the war alongside the army. He said the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) left them no choice when they began attacking civilians and burning villages and camps.
Minawi stressed the need for a single army in Sudan with all military forces under the command of the state, in reference to the paramilitary RSF.
“The slogan ‘One army, one people’ must be put into practice, and the armed forces must be reformed. But first, this war must end, whether through military defeat or a political agreement and after that, this will be the beginning of any solution,” he said.
The army’s strengthening of the capabilities of armed movements in Darfur after their participation in the war against the RSF has raised questions about why these forces have not yet been integrated into the army despite the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement four years ago.
In statements to Al-Zarqaa TV a few days ago, the assistant commander-in-chief of the Sudanese army, Lieutenant General Yasir al-Atta, revealed that they had agreed with the armed movements in Darfur that signed the peace agreement to integrate their forces into the armed forces and distribute them among the various units after the end of the war.
Inclusiveness of national dialogue
Minawi stressed the need for all Sudanese political forces to participate in the Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue process. He said no political faction should be prevented from participating, as the Islamists did during their 30 years in power.
“They say Minawi wants to involve the Islamists in the dialogue,” he said. “I tell them that no one has the right to strip any Sudanese citizen of their Sudanese identity, so the dialogue should not exclude any political, religious or tribal group. Exclusion is what brought us to this situation now. No peace will be achieved without the participation of everyone.”
He pointed out that there must be justice to try all those who committed crimes or looted public money, but depriving these or those forces contradicts the establishment of a democratic Sudan that guarantees public freedoms in the country.
“Since 1956, we have been talking about reforming the structures of the state, about the centre and the margin, the necessity of social justice, ending injustice and redressing damage,” he said. “These issues are not eliminated by prescription, and they are still alive.”
Minawi appealed to the international community to work to prevent regional interference in the country’s ongoing conflict. He said that the Sudanese, like other peoples, deserve peace, development, and well-being, and they do not understand the international community’s position, which stands by and watches the ongoing violations of United Nations laws by member states.