Minni Arko Minawi accuses groups of obstructing Juba Peace Agreement security arrangements and clarifies his forces’ commitment to a unified national army, rejecting ties to the RSF. Amid rising tensions between armed factions in El Gezira, he denied claims of a recruitment ban. Separately, RSF leader Hemedti discussed ongoing strategies to maintain control in Khartoum.
Minni Arko Minawi, the Governor of Darfur and leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement breakaway faction (SLM-MM), has publicly accused unspecified groups of hindering the security arrangements stipulated in the Juba Peace Agreement. During a Ramadan iftar event, he emphatically rejected any comparisons between his forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), asserting his commitment to integrate his movement into a unified national army rather than the RSF.
Minawi expressed that his forces would disband if the security arrangements were successfully implemented, emphasizing, “The ball is in the court of the armed forces.” He further dismissed fears that the Juba Peace Agreement signatories could become a new iteration of the RSF, highlighting that his movement possesses a political vision unlike the ethnically-focused RSF.
Contrary to circulating online claims, Minawi denied that his movement had issued a ban on armed groups recruiting new fighters. Earlier reports had suggested an alleged directive prohibiting recruitment, but he clarified that they were not enlisting new members.
Tensions have escalated between armed groups, notably the Sudan Shield Forces led by Abu Agla Keikil, and the residents of El Gezira, fueled by conflicting narratives on social media. Keikil previously served as a senior RSF commander in El Gezira before switching allegiance to the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
In a separate development, RSF leader Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) asserted in a recorded address that his forces would remain in strategic locations within Khartoum, including the Presidential Palace. He accused rival factions of provoking violence in Darfur and Kordofan, reiterating his intention to maintain Sudan’s unity. Political analyst Mohamed Latif regarded Hemedti’s statements as escalatory, particularly in light of his omission of plans for creating a parallel government amid growing opposition.
Minni Arko Minawi’s statements reveal ongoing tensions regarding peace arrangements in Sudan, particularly concerning the Juba Peace Agreement and the role of armed groups. His insistence on a unified national army and rejection of the RSF underscores a critical factional divide. The situation remains complex, with the presence of conflicting narratives and tensions between various entities potentially influencing future developments in the region.
Original Source: www.dabangasudan.org
