Summary
The Sudan Liberation Movement and Justice and Equality Movement have announced their withdrawal from neutrality in the ongoing Sudan civil war, pledging support for the Sudanese Armed Forces against the Rapid Support Forces. This decision follows increased violence in Darfur, where leaders have condemned the killing of civilians and foreign interference in the conflict. They emphasize the necessity to defend human rights and restore Sudan’s unity, while also rejecting any collaboration with the RSF, accused of human rights violations.

In a significant shift in stance, the Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Minni Arko Minawi, and the Justice and Equality Movement, under Jibril Ibrahim, have declared their departure from the neutrality initially established in the October 2020 Juba Peace Agreement. They have expressed their willingness to actively engage in military operations on behalf of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan. During a recent press conference held in Port Sudan, Minawi reported the deaths of 50 members of the Darfur Joint Protection Force while they were securing vital areas such as convoys, markets, banks, and roads. He emphasized the urgency of abandoning neutrality, citing the overarching objective of the conflict as a desire to disintegrate Sudan. Minawi condemned the brutal murder and mutilation of the governor of West Darfur and denounced the violence against civilians in Central Darfur camps. The atrocities reported in the towns of Zalingei, El Geneina, Kutum, and Tawila were described by Minawi as systematic and selective, accusing the RSF of targeting community leaders and activists while reportedly supplying weapons to factions involved in the civil war in South Darfur. Furthermore, Jibril Ibrahim outlined the initial stance of neutrality adopted by the JEM aimed at mediating the conflict. However, he too accused the RSF of intending to fracture the country in collusion with foreign militias, asserting that they were executing an external agenda. Ibrahim highlighted that the change in position was anticipated by many Sudanese citizens, stating, “We took the principle of neutrality in order to mediate… We are not neutral in human rights, the killing of civilians and the violation of symptoms.” Additionally, he condemned Chad for allegedly bolstering the RSF with weapons and mercenaries and dismissed recent claims by RSF officials suggesting any agreement for cooperative security forces in Darfur, labeling it as “confusion.” The heightened involvement of these armed movements marks a critical juncture in Sudan’s troubled landscape as the conflict continues to inflict suffering on the populace.

The conflict in Sudan has escalated since mid-April, 2023, primarily due to fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Juba Peace Agreement, signed in October 2020, aimed to bring peace to conflict regions, including Darfur, by promoting neutrality among various factions. However, the current declaration by armed groups abandoning this neutrality signifies a deepening of the civil strife and highlights concerns regarding national unity amid accusations of foreign involvement and manipulation within the internal conflict dynamics.

The decision by the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement to discontinue their neutrality and participate more directly in the fighting underscores a critical turning point in Sudan’s ongoing conflict. The leaders’ statements reflect not only a commitment to the fight against the RSF but also emphasize their dedication to protecting the human rights of civilians amidst reports of brutal acts in conflict zones. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these developments will manifest in the broader context of conflict resolution and national unity.

Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org

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