Sudan’s Transitional Military Council praises Rapid Support Forces

In an official statement on Thursday, the Transitional Military Council (TMC) praised the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan’s main pro-government militia. The RSF are largely responsible for the violent breakup of the sit-in in Khartoum in which at least 108 people were killed. They are popularly known as Janjaweed, a (derogatory) Darfuri term for armed robbers and militiamen.

The junta said in its statement that the RSF played an important role, “especially since the April 6 revolution, backing the choices of the people”. It emphasised that the RSF rejected orders from the former Al Bashir regime to break the sit-in in Khartoum by force.

During the genocide in Darfur, many of the Janjaweed, who were the perpetrators,  were recruited in Darfur itself. Nowadays, many members of the RSF are recruited in Niger and Chad.

‘Rumours and fabricated charges’

The military junta pointed out that the RSF have been subjected to what it calls a wave of ‘rumours’ and to ‘fabricated charges’. It warned the Sudanese people of spreading those ‘rumours’ and not to support the ‘fabricated charges’.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese army pledged in a statement to commit themselves to remain a safe haven for citizens, protecting lives and property, and providing security. It said that the army urges citizens to stay away from military areas, locations, outposts, and commands throughout the country.

In its statement the army says that it backs the Sudanese people and their desire to fulfil their legitimate demands and aspirations.

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