By RFPosted on 31-10-2019Modified on 31-10-2019 at 23:17
Khartoum has been engaged for several years alongside the Arab coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The regime of Omar al-Bashir had sent thousands of men. After the fall of the Sudanese president, these troops had been maintained by the junta that had taken power.
Even if it is a partial withdrawal, the departure of the Sudanese forces would have begun for two months and would concern nearly 10,000 men. Sudanese officials say, however, that Khartoum is not leaving the Arab coalition.
A difficult choice to interpret. Indeed the junta that had overthrown Omar al-Bashir , had kept these men in Yemen. Many suspect that the putschists derive financial, political, and diplomatic benefits, with the support of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and especially Saudi Arabia. Difficult in these conditions to believe in a unilateral withdrawal, without the consent of Arab partners, Riyadh in particular.
The power of Hemetti
In any case, one researcher is worried about this decision. " It means 10,000 more armed men in Sudan. Will they stay in barracks? Or deployed in cities? They could be used to put pressure on the civil coalition ", analyzes the specialist.
Most are FSR paramilitaries, accused of multiple abuses against the population. And their leader Hemetti, number 2 of the Sovereign Council , the key institution of the transition, continues to establish itself as a central figure.
" The return of his men increases his power. It changes the balance of power, which is crucial in a fragile, unstable country. Holding the coercive capacity is part of Sudanese politics today, " says a good connoisseur. Despite the suspicions hanging over him, Hemetti seems for the moment almost untouchable.
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