Eastern Sudan: Militarisation or State-Building?
This study is written by Salih Ammar, a Sudanese politician
and researcher, based in East Africa. He is a former Governor of Kassala State
during Hamdok’s Civilian Government in Sudan. He can be reached at: Westhorn2030@gmail.com
The author argues that the distribution of weapons to civilians and the proliferation of armed movements across Sudan, including in the eastern region, pose a grave threat to both the state and its population. This issue requires serious, measured and informed debate, particularly because militarisation is likely to remain one of the defining challenges of the next phase—whether the war continues or gives way to ceasefires and negotiated settlements.
He broadly classifies the armed movements and militias operating in eastern Sudan into four categories. The first comprises formations
associated with the Islamic Movement led by Ali Karti. The second consists of
the Darfur-based groups commonly known as the Joint Forces. The third includes
armed movements whose principal political and military focus is eastern Sudan.
A fourth category is the Sudan Shield Forces, led by Abu Aqla Keikal. Although
Sudan Shield includes fighters from the East, it has a significant presence in
central Sudan and emerged under circumstances different from those that
produced the eastern movements.
He looks at the challenges and consequences of the rise of Militias and the proliferation of weapons in Eastern Sudan. He indicates that one of the greatest dangers these movements pose is the fear their existence generates among the region’s communities. That fear encourages others to form their own armed groups, creating a cycle of mobilisation, counter-mobilisation, and escalating insecurity.
He argues that different militias require different responses and suggests how the issue can be handled
