KHARTOUM, MAY 11, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo is reportedly avoiding phone calls over fears of being targeted by the Sudanese Armed Forces, Sudanese and South Sudanese officials say.
Sudan descended into a destructive conflict last month after the RSF allegedly launched attacks on several army and government positions in the capital Khartoum resulting in the killing of hundreds and displacement of over 100,000 people.
Since then, Hemedti and the head of the Sudan Armed Forces General Abdelfattah al Burhan have been engaged in media war with both sides conducting interviews with international media organizations via phones.
But speaking to Sudans Post this morning, a South Sudanese government official said that President Salva Kiir Mayardit has difficulty reaching out to Hemedti and that they have reports that the later has opted against use of cell phones to avoid targeted aerial attacks by the army.
“The president was unable to reach out to him because we have heard he is avoiding phone calls because of his security,” the official said. “But we are looking for ways to reach him because they have not respected the ceasefire, they agreed to last week.”
According to a Sudanese army source, “Hemeti fears that his conversations may be monitored, and he may be targeted by the Sudanese army. He is taking extra precautions to ensure his safety, including avoiding phone calls.”
“Hemeti’s refusal to use phone calls is indicative of the tense and uncertain environment in Khartoum The ongoing fighting has created a great deal of fear and mistrust, and it’s not surprising that he would be taking extra precautions to protect himself.”