
Sudan’s powerful military leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), has reached a deal with civilian groups to release hundreds of prisoners and open humanitarian corridors in areas under his control. This comes amidst heightened tension between Dagalo and the military leadership, raising hopes for a potential thaw in the country’s political deadlock.
Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), spent the past week engaged in shuttle diplomacy across the Horn of Africa, culminating in a meeting with representatives of political and civilian movements in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The resulting declaration, signed on Tuesday, outlines several key points:
Prisoner Release: The RSF pledges to release 451 prisoners currently in its custody, a move long demanded by activists and families seeking justice for those detained during the recent crackdown on dissent.
Humanitarian Aid Access: Safe corridors will be established to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in areas under RSF control, addressing a critical need amidst ongoing conflict and displacement.
Joint Peace Committee: A joint committee composed of RSF and civilian representatives will be formed, tasked with forging a lasting peace agreement and ending the ongoing violence.
Independent Monitoring: An independent national committee will be established to monitor human rights violations across the country and hold perpetrators accountable.
While the deal’s immediate impact on the ground remains uncertain, it represents a significant shift in Dagalo’s approach as RSF has made serious advances against the army in the recent weeks.
Meanwhile, tensions with the military leadership under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan seem to be escalating. While Burhan celebrated Sudan’s Independence Day in the newly declared capital of Port Sudan, Dagalo’s planned visit to Nairobi, following trips to Uganda and Djibouti, suggests a deliberate effort to counter Burhan’s regional influence.
The evolving dynamics between Sudan’s military and military factions, coupled with this recent deal with civilian groups, create a complex and unpredictable political landscape. Whether Dagalo’s apparent outreach to civilians and regional powers translates into tangible progress towards peace and stability remains to be seen.