The Security Challenge in Sudan

By Othman Mirghani

Security is one of the most essential pillars of life and stability in any society. Its absence leads to chaos, fear, and the disruption of people’s lives. Given the direct correlation between security and war, it is unsurprising that the issue of security has emerged as one of the primary concerns in Sudan’s current situation.

Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in reports and stories about the breakdown of security and the spread of armed robbery gangs. Some of these reports are true, some exaggerated, and others fabricated — yet they all spread like wildfire. Certain actors have been fueling these stories on social media platforms, which have become a battleground for psychological and media warfare. This is especially evident amid the intense polarization between supporters and opponents of the army, which has deepened with the ongoing war.

What stands out is the focus of some of these narratives on blaming the army, accusing it of failing to maintain security and protect people and property from looting gangs. In some cases, direct accusations have even been made against certain army elements, alleging that they are involved in robbing citizens and stealing their belongings.

In such volatile circumstances, it is possible that some undisciplined soldiers have committed violations. However, this does not justify generalizing these accusations to the entire army or using isolated incidents to tarnish its reputation. There is also evidence of attempts to exaggerate individual transgressions, fabricate others, and attribute them to the army to discredit it — equating it with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

A striking example of this was when the authorities announced the arrest of armed criminal gangs disguised in official military uniforms to carry out robberies. Despite video evidence documenting the arrests and the suspects’ confessions — including how they acquired the uniforms — some army critics dismissed it as a staged act to clear the army of blame.

Setting aside political squabbles and score-settling, the current state of lawlessness is not a new phenomenon. Armed robbery gangs, known in Sudan as “Tisaa Taweela” (Nine Long), have existed since the Bashir era and during Hamdok’s transitional government. It is no surprise that they have become more active amid the chaos of war, especially with the absence of the police. Community security is not the army’s responsibility, even in peacetime — let alone during a complex urban warfare scenario in which the army is heavily engaged.

To address this issue, the government has recently held a series of meetings to discuss restoring order, followed by steps to reopen police stations and recall officers to resume their duties in areas secured by the army.

However, these measures will not produce the desired results unless people return to their homes and neighborhoods. As long as the streets and residential areas remain deserted, even after being secured, the security vacuum will persist.

In any city worldwide — take London as an example — even though it is generally safe and densely populated, one cannot leave their home unattended for long without taking security precautions. Even then, there is no guarantee against theft. Empty homes attract professional thieves and opportunists, who take advantage of the absence of residents. The police cannot be present on every street or guard every home. While police patrols exist, they cannot cover every spot at all times. Only in rare cases, supported by strict deterrent measures, do some cities and countries achieve near-perfect security.

Now imagine a country torn apart by war, where entire neighborhoods have been hastily abandoned, leaving homes and streets completely empty — turning them into ghost towns. Such an environment is ideal for looters and opportunists, who seize the opportunity to plunder everything from homes and shops to factories, hospitals, universities, and even museums.

Before these opportunistic thieves arrived, RSF militants had already emptied banks of cash, raided commercial establishments and government facilities, and ransacked citizens’ homes — seizing cars, buses, valuable possessions, electronics, clothing, and even furniture. They also carried out systematic destruction of property, leaving behind wreckage. Countless videos have shown public and private property reduced to ruins.

After the army regained control of most areas, numerous video-documented appeals emerged from citizens urging their neighbors to return and secure their homes and what remains of their possessions — and to begin rebuilding their neighborhoods and communities.

Without the return of the population, a crucial element for restoring security and normal life will remain missing. There can be no reconstruction without people. Security is not solely the responsibility of the state — it is a shared responsibility that every member of society must uphold.

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat