Mansour Arbab, the leader of the newly split Justice and Equality Movement, expressed strong criticism of the “Addis Ababa Declaration” signed between the Rapid Support Forces and the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. Arbab described the declaration as a legitimization of the Rapid Support Forces’ terrible crimes against unarmed civilians.
In an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Arbab downplayed the success of the Addis Ababa Declaration. The declaration, signed on Tuesday by Rapid Support Forces Commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo and former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, aimed to work towards stopping the ongoing conflict.
Arbab contended that the document was a modified version of their constitutional document, which, according to him, ignited the war in Sudan, leading to genocide, forced displacement in Darfur, and attacks on Khartoum and the island.
Arbab criticized the Tagaddum coalition, considering it as the Rapid Support Forces’ partner that ignores their violations committed against unarmed civilians.
Speaking from South Africa, Arbab stated, “The Tagaddum coalition led by Dr. Hamdok is considered a partner for the RSF in its work, as it ignored all the violations committed against unarmed civilians, and instead of bringing them to justice, it gave them the legitimacy to form new civilian governments in the places under their control.”
Arbab expressed doubt about the political and moral qualifications of the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) to present an initiative to stop the war in Sudan.
He suggested that if the coalition wants to reform the situation in Sudan, they must convince the RSF to cease the war, surrender weapons, and integrate their forces into the Sudanese army. Arbab emphasized the importance of bringing those responsible for violations to justice.
Conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on April 15, 2023. While fighting has been chiefly concentrated in the country’s capital, Khartoum, the conflict has impacted other regions. In Darfur, mass killings and displacement have led to reports of ethnic cleansing.
Over 12,000 people have been killed, with about 5.9 million displaced within the country, making it the largest internal displacement crisis globally. More than 7.2 million people have fled their homes, taking refuge inside and outside the country.
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