Sudan's Infinite War: The Business of 'Breaking Sieges'
THE ACTORS: Who benefits from perpetual conflict? General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are the public faces of this 'civil war.' But beneath these rival generals are layers of vested interests. The SAF has historically been intertwined with the deep state, while the RSF,
initially a paramilitary offshoot (formerly known as Janjaweed), evolved into a powerful mercenary group, notoriously funded by Khartoum in the Darfur conflict of the early 2000s to suppress local rebellions. The current conflict, which began in April 2023, is often framed as a power struggle over a transition to civilian rule, but that's the convenient narrative. The deeper truth lies in the
control over Sudan's lucrative resources and strategic geography. THE FUNDING: Where do the war chests come from? Gold: The RSF, under Hemedti, controls significant gold mines in Darfur, primarily Jebel Amer. Gold smuggling generated billions for the RSF , with much of it reportedly exported to the UAE (Reuters, 2022). This illicit trade provides a continuous, independent revenue stream, making
them less susceptible to traditional state funding controls. Mercenaries & Foreign Support: Both sides receive external backing. The RSF has been linked to Wagner Group (now 'Africa Corps') operations, offering security services in exchange for mining concessions. The SAF, though more formally structured, has received support from various regional players intent on maintaining their influence in