{"id":51533,"date":"2025-07-17T20:01:45","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T17:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/?p=51533"},"modified":"2025-07-17T20:03:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T17:03:57","slug":"volkers-statements-testimony-regret-or-a-rewriting-of-the-war-narrative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/17\/volkers-statements-testimony-regret-or-a-rewriting-of-the-war-narrative\/","title":{"rendered":"Volker\u2019s Statements: Testimony, Regret, or a Rewriting of the War Narrative?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ambassador Dr. Muawia Al-Bukhari<\/strong><\/p>\n

Introduction:<\/p>\n

Two years after the outbreak of the war that tore Sudan apart and cast its shadow over the region and the world, Volker Perthes\u2014the former head of the UN mission “UNITAMS” who was forced to resign after Sudan declared him persona non grata\u2014came forward with a series of controversial statements. What he said was not merely a cold analysis of the conflict\u2019s trajectory; rather, it seemed like a belated confession, or perhaps the testimony of a witness to the tragedy of a nation he was tasked with helping through a fragile democratic transition.<\/p>\n

But the central question remains: Is Volker speaking as a neutral observer offering a historical account? Or is he a former official seeking to deflect blame for his failures by laying the burden on local actors? Or is he simply rephrasing the international narrative of the war\u2014one he once shaped by promoting the notion of \u201cequivalence\u201d and attempting to delegitimize the army and its leadership in favor of a framework agreement he sponsored?<\/p>\n

This article aims to deconstruct Volker\u2019s statements, read between the lines of his political and moral messaging, and explore their implications for the future of a war imposed on Sudan\u2014with all its complex costs, ongoing consequences, and far-reaching ramifications.<\/p>\n

1. Shift in the International Narrative \u2013 Army Legitimacy vs. RSF Rebellion<\/p>\n

The most notable part of Volker\u2019s statements was his reference to a \u201crelative change in international discourse,\u201d where the Sudanese army is increasingly seen as the legitimate government after regaining control over Khartoum and other states, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are being viewed as a \u201crebel and terrorist group.\u201d<\/p>\n

This shift reflects:<\/p>\n

A departure from the cautious and misleadingly balanced approach of major powers over the past two years, who avoided granting legitimacy to either side.<\/p>\n

An implicit acknowledgment that, despite structural and political reservations, the army remains the \u201conly remaining institution\u201d capable of running the Sudanese state.<\/p>\n

This discourse aligns with emerging regional and international positions, particularly after mounting reports of grave atrocities committed by the RSF in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and every area it has entered with brutal crimes.<\/p>\n

2. Stripping the RSF of Political Legitimacy<\/p>\n

Volker\u2019s use of terms like \u201cfamily militia\u201d and \u201cnarrow ethnic-based social base\u201d indicates a clear attempt to strip the RSF of any political legitimacy and portray it as an entity outside the state and incapable of providing an alternative model of governance\u2014contradicting the narrative he promoted while leading the mission.<\/p>\n

This characterization sends messages to:<\/p>\n

Regional and international powers: Investing politically or militarily in the RSF, its mercenaries, and backers is now a high-risk and doomed endeavor.<\/p>\n

Local communities: Casting doubt on the RSF\u2019s ability to represent their interests or ensure their security.<\/p>\n

3. Encouraging the Army Toward a Settlement<\/p>\n

Volker suggested that a figure like General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan might find a \u201cconditional settlement\u201d a rational option in light of the improbability of a comprehensive victory. Yet he overlooks the army\u2019s actual victories, its resilience, and its ability to break the RSF\u2019s momentum\u2014despite disparities in equipment, international support, and media portrayal.<\/p>\n

His remarks seem to aim at:<\/p>\n

Pushing the army to use its current position as leverage for negotiation rather than continuing the war\u2014a crafty proposition that events have now surpassed.<\/p>\n

Proposing a political settlement that includes major reforms and the dismantling of parallel forces, while preserving the army\u2019s central role. This dream, pursued tirelessly through forums and lobbying, has proven unrealistic\u2014Sudan remains resistant to dismantlement and foreign agendas.<\/p>\n

4. Fragility of RSF Alliances<\/p>\n

Describing Hemedti\u2019s alliance with Abdelaziz al-Hilu as \u201cinherently temporary,\u201d and noting that other armed groups have their \u201cown goals\u201d and may not stay under Hemedti\u2019s command, aims to:<\/p>\n

Undermine the RSF\u2019s image as a unified front.<\/p>\n

Sow doubt within its current allies and encourage defections\u2014perhaps reflecting a belief that neither Hemedti nor his brother Abd al-Rahim have a viable future, and that the return of Hamdok and a \u201ccivilian state\u201d is no longer feasible amid a growing and unified pro-army movement.<\/p>\n

5. Signals About Foreign Powers\u2019 Roles<\/p>\n

Volker\u2019s comments about Russia leaning toward the army due to its control over Red Sea ports, while suggesting Libya as a more viable location for a Russian base, reflect a new reading of geopolitical balances. It also supports growing global awareness of Sudan\u2019s geostrategic value\u2014and the country\u2019s right to use this to enhance national security and regional partnerships.<\/p>\n

These messages signal:<\/p>\n

To Russia: \u201cThe Sudanese army is a more reliable partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

To regional powers: Red Sea stability depends on supporting the country\u2019s legitimate institutions\u2014and reconsidering investments in an inflated rebel militia built on unrealistic ambitions.<\/p>\n

6. Looking Beyond the War \u2013 Closing the Door on RSF Legitimacy<\/p>\n

Volker\u2019s assertion that the RSF has not provided a model of governance nor shown statecraft\u2014instead committing heinous crimes\u2014implies that future political arrangements will not include the RSF as an autonomous entity. At most, it may be forced to dissolve or integrate under state institutions, aligning with current government policies backed by the people.<\/p>\n

Conclusion: Volker\u2019s Messages Between Political Realism and International Pressure<\/p>\n

Volker\u2019s recent remarks reflect an understanding that Sudan has entered a new phase characterized by:<\/p>\n

A tilt in favor of the army both regionally and internationally.<\/p>\n

The exclusion of the RSF as a legitimate governing partner.<\/p>\n

A move toward a political settlement that ensures Sudan\u2019s unity\u2014even through difficult compromises with domestic actors, not foreign-aligned groups like the FFC and its parallel government project.<\/p>\n

Volker\u2019s delayed admissions are far from innocent; they reveal his shallowness, ignorance, deceit\u2014even lies\u2014as his statements combine testimony, regret, political maneuvering, and a bid to rehabilitate his image after a disgraceful political and ethical failure. The Sudanese scene was more complex than he ever grasped. He now appears like a fox in wise-man\u2019s clothing, trying to reframe a narrative he once tried so hard to impose but which ultimately crumbled.<\/p>\n

His fall came the day he was dismissed.<\/p>\n

Final Thought:<\/p>\n

Between the lines of Volker\u2019s statements lies a bitter realization of the failure of UNITAMS and the Forces of Freedom and Change to bring about genuine civilian protection or facilitate a real transition toward peace. Many in Sudan now wonder: Was Volker part of the solution\u2014or a core part of the problem that fueled war, destruction, and suffering for a proud nation?<\/p>\n

What\u2019s certain is this: the war is no longer just a military confrontation\u2014it has become a diplomatic and media battlefield over narrative and legitimacy. And through resilience and sacrifice, the Sudanese state and its people have written the true story, exposing the falsehood of those who \u201cfired the first shot,\u201d and ending the Volker chapter in disgrace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ambassador Dr. Muawia Al-Bukhari Introduction: Two years after the outbreak of the war that tore Sudan apart and cast its shadow over the region and the world, Volker Perthes\u2014the former head of the UN mission “UNITAMS” who was forced to resign after Sudan declared him persona non grata\u2014came forward with a series of controversial statements. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":51305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51533"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51534,"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51533\/revisions\/51534"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sudanevents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}