Sudan's military has warned that there is a potential for conflict after the country's powerful paramilitary force deployed troops in the capital and other cities.
The military said that the deployment of the paramilitary force, known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was done without its approval or coordination. It added that the RSF's actions had "stirred up panic and fear among people, exacerbated security risks and increased tensions between regular forces."
The RSF is led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who is also the deputy head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council. The force was formed in 2016 to fight the country's long-running Darfur conflict. However, it has been accused of human rights abuses, including the use of torture and extrajudicial killings.
The deployment of the RSF comes amid a political crisis in Sudan. In October 2021, the military ousted the country's civilian-led government, sparking widespread protests. A military-civilian power-sharing deal was reached in November, but tensions between the two sides have remained high.
The military's warning of conflict is a worrying development. It is important for all sides in Sudan to exercise restraint and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the current crisis.