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Mohamed “Hemeti” Dagalo: Coup Was A Mistake
Mohamed “Hemeti” Dagalo, a key figure in Sudan’s military and political landscape, recently admits that the military coup that took place in October 2021 was a mistake.
The admission, made during a televised speech, is significant given Hemeti’s role as the deputy head of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council and his reputation as a hardline military leader.
In the speech, Hemeti explains that the military takeover of the government was a response to what they perceived as a failure of civilian leadership. However, he now believes that the military should have worked with the civilian government to address the country’s problems, rather than overthrowing them.
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“We could have done better, we could have worked together with the civilians,” he said.
The coup was the latest twist in Sudan’s ongoing political turmoil, which began with the overthrow of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Since then, Sudan has been struggling to transition to civilian rule and stabilize its economy, which has been hit hard by decades of mismanagement and international sanctions.
Hemeti has a controversial history in Sudan, having been accused of human rights abuses and playing a key role in the violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2019. He is also the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that has been accused of committing atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Hemeti’s admission has raised questions about what this means for Sudan’s political future. Some observers see it as a sign that the military is willing to work with civilian leaders to address the country’s challenges, while others are skeptical that Hemeti’s words will be translated into action.
In recent months, there have been signs that Sudan’s military leadership is willing to take a more conciliatory approach towards the civilian government. In December 2021, the military and civilian leaders signed a power-sharing deal that was supposed to pave the way for elections in 2023. However, the deal has been plagued by delays and disagreements, and it remains to be seen whether it will be implemented.
Some observers believe that Hemeti’s confession could also mean that he wants to join hands with the political parties rather than the army for the expected 2023 elections. As he believes that the years of military rule has helped the allies of Omar al-Bashir to regain political hold in the country.
Also, noticeably His remarks come amid escalating hostilities between his paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief and de facto head of the nation. As the latter wants RSF to be merged into the country’s army while the former wants otherwise.
The Sudanese people have been skeptical of the military’s intentions since the 2019 coup, and Hemeti’s admission may not be enough to assuage their fears. The military has a long history of using violence to suppress dissent, and there are concerns that they will continue to do so if they feel their power is threatened.
Overall, Hemeti’s admission is a significant development in Sudan’s political landscape. However, it remains to be seen whether it will lead to meaningful change or whether it is simply a case of a military leader trying to improve his image. Sudan’s transition to democracy is a long and difficult process, and it will require the cooperation of all stakeholders to succeed.
