In a landmark historical moment, the Sudanese army succeeded in achieving a new victory over the Rapid Support Forces on Saturday, January 11, 2025, by tightening its control over the city of Wad Madani, the second largest Sudanese city and the capital of the Gezira state in the center of the country, and the closest city to the capital, Khartoum.
This military advance is not just a field victory, but rather represents a strategic shift in the course of the ongoing conflict and the end of the war in favor of preserving the national state, and evidence of the efficiency of the Sudanese army and its ability to regain the initiative in the face of one of the most serious challenges that threaten the country’s unity and stability.
Wad Madani, with its vital geographical location and economic and social importance, is not just a city; It is a symbol of steadfastness and national will, which makes its liberation from the grip of the rebel force an achievement of profound dimensions, going beyond the borders of battle to influencing the balance of power at the national level.
The army’s victory in this strategic city was not just an isolated military event. Rather, it was accompanied by spontaneous celebrations that swept various cities in Sudan, as masses of the Sudanese people came out to express their sincere joy at this achievement, which clearly reflects the popular rally around the army as the primary protector of the homeland and its unity.
The latest statistics on the war in Sudan put the estimated number of civilian deaths since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023 at 150,000, according to Genocide Watch. While the International Organization for Migration reported that the conflict led to the displacement of about 10.7 million people, of whom 9 million were internally displaced, while 1.7 million fled to neighboring countries. This war also led to huge economic losses, including the almost complete collapse of the country’s economy. As a result of the cessation of production and services.
The army… history and the national role
Since its founding in 1925, the Sudanese Army has remained one of the most important pillars of the modern national state in Sudan, and a representative of the highest values of national unity and sovereignty. It also played important roles in maintaining peace and stability through its participation in the Arab Deterrence Forces in Lebanon, which confirms its status as one of the African and Arab armies with a high reputation. These traits made him not only a protector of the borders, but also of the Sudanese national project in times of crisis.
In the midst of the political conflicts that followed the fall of the Bashir regime in 2019, the Sudanese army faced unprecedented challenges, represented by attempts by some civilian parties to interfere in its internal affairs, from decisions on dismissals and promotions, to raising inflammatory slogans against the military establishment during the demonstrations.
These interventions are not only a violation of the constitutional document that granted the army complete independence in its affairs, but they are also a direct threat to one of the most important pillars of national unity. To ensure a stable future, it is necessary to respect the independence of the army and avoid conflicts between political forces, while working to achieve a true partnership between all national components to build a strong and unified Sudan.
The army and rapid support…a struggle of fate
The difference between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces is evident in many aspects, from combat doctrine to organizational structure, which explains the army’s cohesion and ability to withstand, as opposed to the fragile and opportunistic nature of the Rapid Support Forces.
The Sudanese army relies on a national combat doctrine rooted in a long history of defending Sudan’s sovereignty and unity. This doctrine is based on loyalty to the state and its institutions, which ensures that soldiers adhere to military tasks in accordance with the values of discipline and sacrifice.
The Sudanese army has proven its ability to fight in extremely complex circumstances, drawing its strength from its national heritage and strict traditions that enhance team spirit and belonging to the institution.
In contrast, the Rapid Support Forces lack an established combat doctrine. It was established as an irregular force based on personal loyalty and tribal affiliation, not loyalty to the homeland. The Rapid Support combat doctrine is known as opportunism, relying heavily on spoils, exploitation of chaos, and unconventional tactics often characterized by excessive violence against civilians. This nature makes the Rapid Support Forces lack sustainability in fighting against an organized force such as the ancient Sudanese army.
The Sudanese army has a solid organizational structure based on a clear hierarchy that defines roles and responsibilities within the military institution. It is managed according to strict training and strategic planning systems, in full compliance with the international laws of war. This discipline makes the army more able to adapt to various challenges, and also enhances the continuity of military operations even in the darkest circumstances.
In contrast, Rapid Support lacks a cohesive organizational structure. It relies on a hierarchical structure built around a single leader, which makes it vulnerable to disintegration once this leader is absent. These forces operate according to informal and undisciplined mechanisms, which leads to weak internal coordination and a lack of long-term planning. In addition, its reliance on recruits from non-military backgrounds, often out of financial need or tribal loyalty, weakens its readiness and ability to carry out complex military operations.
Sudanese army personnel undergo advanced training in accordance with international military standards, while providing quality weapons suitable for multiple combat operations. Intensive training creates individuals with high proficiency in using modern weapons and dealing with diverse combat situations.
While Rapid Support lacks systematic, professional training, and relies on random recruitment that often does not take into account competency standards. Its armament, although diverse and includes modern weapons, is often used in an unorganized or deliberate manner, making it ineffective in organized military operations.
The Sudanese army also works within the framework of clear national goals, which include defending the country’s borders and protecting its sovereignty and stability. This commitment makes the army enjoy broad popular legitimacy that supports its military efforts. While the objectives of Rapid Support revolve around achieving the interests of its leadership and controlling resources and strategic areas. Its lack of connection to a comprehensive national project deprives it of any popular legitimacy, and places it in direct confrontation with Sudanese society.
The strategic dimension of victory
The Sudanese army’s control of Wad Madani came as a result of careful strategic planning based on a precise understanding of the nature of the land and the distribution of the Rapid Support Forces, which enabled it to exploit its weaknesses effectively.
The popular resistance of the city’s residents also played an important role in the success of the operations, as the people provided intelligence information and facilitated military movements, which strengthened the army’s ability to advance.
In addition, the army showed superiority in organization and coordination between its various units, which was lacking in the Rapid Support Forces, which appeared exhausted and dispersed. Because of the prolonged battles. This organizational gap helped the army tighten its control and exploit the psychological and moral exhaustion that the Rapid Support was suffering from after a series of field defeats.
As for the importance of Wad Madani, it emerges from its distinctive geographical location in the heart of Sudan, as it represents a link between Khartoum and the rest of the country’s states, which makes controlling it secure for vital supply lines and a strategic corridor towards the southern and eastern regions.
The city has great economic weight, as it is the capital of the Al-Jazira state and the center of the Al-Jazira agricultural project, which allows the army to secure food and water resources and benefit from infrastructure such as the main road network to position forces and redistribute them to other fronts.
Wad Madani also acquires great political and social symbolism due to its heavy population and historical role, which adds a moral dimension to the army’s control over it, and demonstrates its ability to reclaim major cities from the grip of militias.
This control prepares the city to be a launching pad towards other strategic areas, such as Gedaref and Sennar, which enhances military expansion and imposes a further siege on the Rapid Support, in a step that may be decisive for securing the entire country.
Read the manifestations of popular joy
As soon as the army vanguards entered Wad Madani on Saturday morning, spontaneous celebrations erupted in various Sudanese cities, where feelings of joy and pride spread throughout, turning the streets into squares celebrating the national achievement.
National anthems and chants praising the army’s victories and its steadfastness rose, while Sudanese flags rose to decorate neighborhoods and squares, in a scene that reflects the unity of the people and their rally around their military institution as a symbol of patriotism and dignity.
These celebrations were not just an expression of momentary joy, but rather a clear popular message that embodies society’s confidence in the army as a protector of national sovereignty, and a categorical rejection of the presence of the Rapid Support Forces, which have become socially isolated after their crimes and violations.
The Sudanese people, who suffered the scourge of war and destruction, found in the army’s victories a glimmer of hope to restore security and stability. The chants and slogans chanted by the celebrants expressed the unity of the popular position, as they stressed that the army represents the will of the entire nation, and not just a military institution.
Amid the sounds of drums and applause, the people’s message seemed clear: Sudan will survive with the cohesion of its army and the unity of its people around the values of unity and steadfastness in the face of all who threaten its security and peace. These celebrations represent internal and external indicators:
- internally Unifying the national ranks by reviving the common national spirit among the Sudanese. Emphasizing that victory in Wad Madani is not only a military victory, but also a victory of hope for a better future. It also reflects that the people are ready to endure hardships in support of the army until complete resolution is achieved.
- Externally; It is considered a message to the world that the army enjoys broad popular support, which enhances its legitimacy before regional and international parties. Which increases the possibility of international parties reevaluating the roles of actors in this conflict.
Post-liberation challenges
Despite the importance of the victory achieved by the Sudanese army in the city of Wad Madani, the next stage carries with it great challenges that require dealing with caution and wisdom.
The most prominent of these challenges is the army’s ability to retain and secure the city, in light of the continuing threats that may be posed by the remnants of the Rapid Support, especially through hit-and-run tactics. Securing the city requires an intense military effort, in addition to enhancing the confidence of the local population by establishing security and restoring basic services.
In addition to the security challenges, there is an urgent need to deal with the deteriorating humanitarian conditions resulting from the war. Thousands of families are suffering from displacement and loss of livelihoods, which requires a collective effort from the government and the international community to provide humanitarian aid and rehabilitate the infrastructure destroyed by the conflict. Addressing these humanitarian issues is an essential step in strengthening the stability of liberated areas and winning the support of the local population.
But the greatest challenge lies in moving from military victory to building a lasting and comprehensive peace. The war, no matter how long it lasts, cannot replace political solutions that put a radical end to the conflict and restore Sudan’s unity and sovereignty. The army, as a symbol of national sovereignty, bears the responsibility of supporting political initiatives that seek to unite Sudanese and end divisions.
In conclusion, all parties must be called upon to engage in a real political path that ends the armed conflict, establishes a democratic civil state that guarantees sovereignty and unity, and brings Sudan out of the spiral of war to new horizons of development and peace. This ambition will not be achieved unless all Sudanese unite and raise the nation’s interest above all other considerations.
The opinions expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Al Jazeera Network.