|
LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Wednesday accused Egypt of direct involvement in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Known by his nickname “Hemedti,” Dagalo alleged that Egyptian forces had carried out airstrikes against RSF troops, marking a dramatic escalation in accusations against Sudan’s northern neighbor. His claims came in a recorded video message released on Wednesday, where he further accused Cairo of providing drones and training to the Sudanese army, which has recently gained an upper hand in the 18-month-long conflict.
The accusations, if true, would place Egypt deeper into Sudan’s internal conflict, which has devastated the country since April 2023. The war has led to the displacement of nearly 10 million people and severe humanitarian crises, with reports of widespread hunger and ethnic violence. Egypt has long been seen as an ally of Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, though it has publicly aligned itself with U.S. and Saudi efforts to mediate peace. Earlier this year, Cairo also hosted peace talks between Sudanese political factions in an attempt to resolve the crisis diplomatically.
Hemedti’s speech took an accusatory tone, claiming that Egypt used American-made bombs in the airstrikes on RSF forces. He suggested that such weaponry would not have reached Sudan without tacit approval from Washington. This accusation adds a new layer to the geopolitical complexities of the war, as the United States has been vocal in supporting peace efforts in the region, raising questions about potential indirect involvement through arms transfers.
In addition to implicating Egypt, Hemedti accused several foreign mercenaries, including those from Tigray, Eritrea, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine, of participating in the war alongside Sudan’s army. He even reiterated earlier allegations of Iranian involvement, painting a picture of a conflict heavily influenced by external actors. These accusations come at a time when the Sudanese army has made significant territorial gains, particularly in the capital Khartoum and the southeastern Sennar state. Hemedti claimed that Egyptian airstrikes had forced his troops to retreat from the strategic Jebel Moya area, which had been a key battleground.
Once open to negotiations and peace efforts, Hemedti now signaled a more entrenched position. “This war will not end in one or two, three, four years,” he declared, warning that the conflict could continue for much longer. His grim outlook, paired with mentions of amassing a force of up to one million soldiers, hinted at the possibility of prolonged and intensified fighting.
Sudan’s civil war has wreaked havoc across the nation, with both sides accused of atrocities. However, the RSF has been particularly blamed for ethnically-driven violence in Darfur and other regions. The paramilitary group’s brutal tactics, including attacks on civilians, have exacerbated the humanitarian disaster, fueling international concern.
Despite Hemedti’s accusations, the Egyptian government has yet to issue an official response.
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.