Faceoff of Army and Paramilitary in Sudan: Fear Descends

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is accused of widespread human rights abuses, has also moved into the northern city of Marawi in violation of the law, according to the army. The RSF claims that its operations in Marawi are part of national forces operating within the framework of the law and in full coordination with the leadership of the armed forces. Tensions between the army and the RSF have been rising for months over the integration of the RSF into the military. The army wants the integration of the RSF into it within a two-year transitional period, while the RSF wants to fall under civilian leadership. The dispute focuses on military reform and the incorporation of the RSF into the armed forces. The two armed bodies have been vying for supremacy as the army tries to establish its authority over all the country’s military forces, and the RSF works to maintain its independence since former leader Omar al-Bashir's overthrow. The RSF's independence has caused delays in the implementation of an agreement reached in December to resolve the impasse with civilian leadership. The political factions announced that they had agreed to form a new transitional government in April, which would see a representative from both the army and the RSF sit alongside civilians to draft a new constitution. However, the signing has been postponed for the second time, sparking a renewal of mass protests on 5 April.