Burhan praises RSF support for change and democratic transition in Sudan
March 20, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces, Saturday defended the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) saying they protect the revolution and democratic transition in Sudan.
Al-Burhan addressed on Saturday 3000 SRF militiamen who ended a training course in the military college before heading to Darfur to take part in the civilians’ protection force the government decided to deploy in the region to replace the UNAMID force.
Since its inception, the RSF have worked for the benefit of the Sudanese people, the defence of the December Revolution, and the extension of security and stability, al-Burhan said.
Also, he praised the “great role” played by the SRF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti” in the revolution. He was alluding to his support to al-Burhan in his struggle against the Islamist military during the first months of the revolution.
“We renew our confidence in the Rapid Support Forces and appreciate what they are doing … We will build a Sudan that we are dreaming about, and the Rapid Support will be part of the building process,” he stressed.
The RSF have faced regular criticism campaigns in Khartoum since their participation in the bloody dispersal of the peaceful sit-in where they killed about 200 civilians on June 3, 2019.
Recently, Hemetti’s brother Abdel-Rahim Daglo, RSF second commander, sparked a wave of anger in Khartoum after he supported the deployment of the armed movements’ forces in Khartoum. He said that the deployment of the armed groups would not stop at Khartoum, but would also go to Meroe, the historic royal capital of Sudan old kingdoms.
In a bid to deal with the mounting criticism, his brother Hemetti participated on Saturday in a public event in the River Nile State flanked by the leaders of the former armed groups.
He spoke about the need for national cohesion, saying the Juba Peace Agreement aims to strengthen national unity before adding that northern Sudanese were accountable for the deeds al-Bashir regime.
For his part, Abd al-Rahim Daglo said that he did not intend to offend the people of Meroe, but rather to refer to a dear region of Sudan distinguished by development, civilization, stability and prosperity.
(ST)