Observations on the 4-Week Anniversary of Conflict in Sudan

An assessment of the political and military situation

It was on this night four weeks ago that General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (aka “Hemedti”) were supposed to meet to resolve differences. The meeting never happened. Fighting began the next day.

The resulting loss, trauma, and violence has been beyond imagining. Here I offer a few brief observations on this sad anniversary.

First, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) have demonstrated profound military weakness whilst RSF have demonstrated political weakness. SAF cannot even dislodge RSF from the palace and other strategic sites in the capital, let alone annihilate them entirely.

Politically, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have not outlined a clear program or objectives. They have a propaganda strategy involving denigrating their enemy and portraying themselves as champions of democracy and liberators, but that is about it.

In connection with this, it’s noteworthy that on the international stage Hemedti has come under virtually no pressure to outline his political de…