The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Sudan have announced a sweeping vision aimed at establishing a new Sudan characterized by democratic governance, sustainable peace, and inclusive national institutions.
The RSF’s comprehensive plan seeks to address the nation’s deep-seated governance issues and lay the foundation for a more equitable society.
The RSF has acknowledged its involvement in the ongoing conflict that erupted on April 15, highlighting a broader struggle between those advocating for equal citizenship and pluralism and those seeking a return to authoritarian rule.
This conflict, the RSF notes, is a symptom of Sudan’s long-standing crisis of governance, which has persisted since the country’s independence.
Throughout Sudan’s history, peripheral groups have endeavored to bring about peaceful change but have faced violent repression from leaders who have maintained power through force.
These leaders, unable to address grievances through political means, have relied on repression, leading to instability, civil wars, and economic challenges.
Despite the recent outbreak of war, the RSF remains optimistic about the possibility of a peaceful resolution to Sudan’s crisis. The group has actively engaged in international efforts to achieve a comprehensive political resolution that includes all stakeholders and addresses the root causes of conflict. The RSF envisions a Sudan built on democracy, diversity, and social justice.
Key principles outlined in the RSF’s vision include:
- Governance: Establishing a democratic, civilian-led government with power distributed through free and fair elections. This system should reflect Sudan’s diversity and ensure equitable representation for all regions.
- Local Empowerment: Implementing a federal system to empower local communities and allow them to manage their own affairs. This approach advocates for a balance of power between national and regional governments.
- Ending Power Monopolies: Dismantling power monopolies rooted in ideology, tribalism, or regionalism and returning power to the people through democratic processes.
- Sustainable Peace: Achieving sustainable peace by addressing deep-rooted inequalities in political representation and wealth distribution, and eliminating state-sponsored violence and inequality.
The RSF also proposes the creation of a new national army, free from political interference and reflective of Sudan’s diversity. Additionally, the RSF calls for legal reforms to combat hate speech and promote peaceful coexistence.
Central to the RSF’s vision is the formation of a civilian-led transitional government and the drafting of a new constitution that represents all Sudanese people. The RSF emphasizes the importance of including the forces that resisted the Bashir regime and contributed to the December 2018 revolution, which ousted the former president and opened the path for democratic transformation.
The RSF asserts that fair representation must be ensured for marginalized regions, particularly those affected by conflict. It advocates for the exclusion of elements from the old regime and groups that have opposed democratic change in the years since Bashir’s fall.
To build a truly democratic and just Sudan, the RSF insists on the inclusion of all parties that have fought against authoritarianism and supported the revolution. This inclusive approach is essential for ensuring that the new Sudan represents the aspirations of all its people.