The Militia: Sudan’s Termite and Scourge (1-2)

By Dr. Osama Mohammed Abdulrahim

The Qur’an recounts stories of God testing His servants with calamities, natural disasters, and afflictions such as floods and storms. These trials, whether punitive or a means of purification and guidance, aim to steer people from injustice and misguidance toward justice and righteousness, setting them on the straight path of truth.

Among the afflictions mentioned are insects, such as locusts and lice, and other plagues like frogs and blood, sent as punishment for the arrogance and transgressions of past nations. Now, with the cessation of divine revelation after the completion of the message and the perfection of religion, the guidance left to us serves as a tool to illuminate our path and lead us to salvation.

One notable pest is the termite (also referred to as the “earth-dwelling creature” mentioned in the Qur’anic story of Prophet Solomon, according to some interpretations). This tiny insect is a notorious pest that harms humanity, warranting immediate eradication to prevent its spread in urban areas due to its destructive nature.

Perhaps God has sent a similar scourge to Sudan in the form of the rebellious militia—a termite-like entity ravaging Sudan’s land, destroying crops, livestock, and infrastructure. This militia loots, rapes, and commits every conceivable crime, leaving no room for goodwill or trust in those with conscience and reason. I cannot help but draw parallels between this rebellious militia and termites, both being devastating creatures that destroy everything useful to humans, whether plant, animal, or man-made.

Parallels Between Termites and the Militia

1. Social Structure and Numbers:

Termites are social insects living in colonies that may range from 30,000 to over two million individuals. Similarly, the militia operates in large numbers, compensating for its lack of quality with sheer quantity. It recruits replacements after every battle from local populations, regional communities, or even international sources, such as Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, importing mercenaries to sustain its numbers.

2. Favorable Environments:

Termites thrive in damp, dark, poorly ventilated areas. Analogously, the militia emerged and expanded in environments shaped by civil wars in Darfur, marginalization conflicts, and the grievances of political and social injustice. These provided fertile grounds for the militia’s growth.

Local Environment:

A backdrop of historical grievances, conflicts over wealth and power distribution, and calls for justice created the conditions for the militia’s formation and sustenance.

Regional Environment:

Participation in regional conflicts, such as in Yemen alongside Saudi Arabia and the UAE, brought financial and technical support, strengthening the militia. It eventually became a proxy tool for its sponsors, turning against its homeland.

International Environment:

The militia later gained support from entities like the European Union, under the guise of combating human trafficking and cross-border crimes, enhancing its resources and image while concealing its true nature.

3. Secrecy and Darkness:

Termites thrive in darkness, away from light. Similarly, the militia grew under the cover of secrecy, shrouded by the patronage of rulers who shielded it, allowing it to evolve into a dangerous entity threatening Sudan’s stability and unity.

4. Destructive Consumption:

Termites feed on cellulose found in wood, paper, and textiles, attacking doors, walls, furniture, and crops. The militia, likewise, thrived on state resources and illegal profits, growing into an oversized entity requiring constant feeding. After losing its legitimacy and state support post-April 15 war, it resorted to plundering civilians and state facilities, destroying everything to sustain itself.

Lessons from Termite Eradication

Just as termites cause economic and environmental devastation, the militia has caused security, social, and material destruction, displacing populations and forcing them into safer areas until the crisis is resolved.

Combatting this scourge, whether termites or the militia, requires a strategic approach:

1. Identifying the Source:

Locating termite infestations parallels the critical need for intelligence gathering to aid command and control in executing military operations.

This analogy underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to eliminate both pests and restore safety and stability.