SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Economist – A struggle for power in Sudan could lead to civil war

15/6/19: Economist – A struggle for power in Sudan could lead to civil war

 The Economist’s feature piece examines the possibility of civil war in Sudan, amid signs of splits within the ruling military junta between the regular armed forces and the RSF.

 The Economist note that many army officers regard the RSF as “an ill-disciplined mob.”

 It is unclear where former National Security and Intelligence Service (NISS) chief Salah Gosh’s loyalties lie, although NISS is said to loathe the RSF and their commander Himedti, for “betraying” former president Omar Al Bashir.

 Although many army generals think a political settle with protesters is the best hope of preventing civil war, “elements within the junta want to turn back the clock” and impose military rule, according to the International Crisis Group’s Murithi Mutiga.

 The article concludes with Sudan expert Alex de Waal’s likening Sudan’s potential situation to the proxy war in Yemen, if Qatar, Turkey and Iran try to regain their influence in Sudan.