Sudan unmasks propaganda campaign by RSF

By Adel Abdel Rahim

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) - Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has initiated a propaganda campaign that is attempting to recast its leadership in a positive light, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sunday.

''The Janjaweed militia (Rapid Support Forces) and its supporters, both within and outside Africa, have recently launched a deceptive propaganda campaign attempting to rebrand the leadership of the militia,'' the ministry said in a statement.

''This deceptive campaign included the militia leader's visits to several African countries,'' it added, referring to Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, popularly known as “Hemeti.”

''During these visits, statements were attributed to him expressing readiness to declare a cease-fire, initiate peace negotiations, and sign an agreement with a Sudanese political group that supports him,'' it said.

The statement condemned Dagalo's moves, saying ''such actions could potentially pave the way for the division of the country."

''The government reiterates its commitment to achieving peace as affirmed by the president of the Sovereign Council (Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan) in a recent statement from (the town of) Gebeit,'' it said.

The statement noted that ''despite the militia's attack on (the city of) Wad Madani in mid-December 2023, the president of the Sovereign Council agreed to meet with the militia leader, facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).''

''It had agreed to hold the meeting in Djibouti on Dec. 28, 2023. However, just hours before the president's departure for Djibouti, IGAD informed Sudan of the meeting's postponement due to reasons related to the rebel leader which remain undisclosed at this time,'' the statement said.

Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army, led by Al-Burhan, and the RSF.

A humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as nearly 6.8 million people have fled their homes seeking safety in Sudan or neighboring countries.

Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi Arabia and US mediators have failed to end the violence.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio