SUDAN NEWS ALERT: Radio Dabanga - Hemeti visits Eritrea to discuss bilateral relations but also to ‘weave RSF alliances’

14/3/2023: Radio Dabanga - Hemeti visits Eritrea to discuss bilateral relations but also to ‘weave RSF alliances’

Radio Dabanga report that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia commander Himedti travelled to Eritrea for an unannounced one-day visit linked.

Journalist and political analyst Abdelmonim Abu Idris told Radio Dabanga: “The RSF has regional and international relations separately from the Sudanese government. The visit is therefore also part of the RSF weaving alliances of its own with countries in the region and international powers.”

RSF leader Himedti has close ties with Russia, which is “heavily involved” Sudan’s gold trade “which has been largely in the RSF’s hands”.

The visit was therefore also placed in the context of the RSF pursuing its own political agenda, separately from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) headed by Abdulfattah al-Burhan. According to political analyst Waleed El Nour, the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF is not a conflict between military institutions*, but a struggle over power and political influence.