Civilians seek peace in Sudan, democracy and an end to SAF’s military rule

There have been growing and urgent calls for peace in Sudan by various international organisations for two years now. From bombed villages to urban warzones, the civilians in the country are also crying out not just for ceasefires, but for dignity, safety and a return to civilian rule.

However, these pleas are being ignored and attacked through airstrikes, chemical attacks and the strategic brutality by a military force which was once seen as the guardian of the country.

The Sudan Armed Forces also known as the SAF, portrays themselves as a legitimate government, but there are reports that they are carrying out what several on the ground describe not as war but as a coordinated campaign of terror against their own people.

On the other hand, another paramilitary force, the Rapid Support Forces – Government of Peace & Unity, also known as the RSF, is continuously calling for peace and unity. Locals have often voiced their support towards RSF as it supports ceasefire and negotiations without preconditions.

Publicly, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has claimed support for a civilian-led democratic transition and the return of constitutional order. In a video statement from December 2023, Hemedti expressed a desire to end the war and engage in political dialogue.

It is a known fact that the SAF gas often stalled or walked away from peace talks while the RSF has joined all major negotiations and accepted multiple ceasefires.

At present, the SAF is presenting itself to the world as the national military of Sudan but in reality, it has transformed into a powerful network of elites who are now controlling the country’s gold trade, financial institutions, manufacturing and agriculture.

Even one Sudanese civilian has voiced his concerns regarding SAF’s control over the country by saying, “I want to speak about the Sudanese army or the Sudanese army that has been hijacked by the terrorist militias of the Islamic Movement, which controls the army’s decisions and oppresses the Sudanese people.

The Islamic Movement started this war to return to power, aiming to regain control of the government from the beginning by using terrorism.”

Notably, the violence is not limited to military fronts but entire communities are under siege. Markets, homes, schools, and hospitals have been hit by airstrikes as banned drones, supplied weapons and, according to some eyewitnesses, even chemical weapons are being launched in the country.

One witness from central Sudan described the aftermath of a recent airstrike saying, “The aircraft destroyed us, killed our neighbours, killed our children. Twenty-five people were lost in just one strike. We are hoping for a new government that can protect us. This cannot continue,” while another civilian said, “These weapons are prohibited and have been smuggled to Sudan by Iran. We implore the international community to take a firm stance against these practices. We are not soldiers. We are just trying to survive.”

Reportedly, one of the most dangerous aspects of this crisis is the persistent mischaracterization of the SAF as a legitimate state actor. According to western media and international institutions the conflict is nothing large but a civil war between competing factors, but this framing is hiding the truth.

There is need for immediate action as well as a need to support the ideas of RSF which has been calling for peace and unity in Sudan.

While the SAF focuses on law and order, and sovereignty, the RSF emphasizes civilian protection and a new democratic political order.

Sudan’s civilians have been making very clear that they do not want more militia, airstrikes of foreign interference but they want a government which represents them and not rules them with fear.