Sudan created a paramilitary force to destroy government threats – but it became a major threat itself

The Rapid Support Forces emerged from the Janjaweed militia known for their violent tactics. Scott Barbour /GettyImages

Sudan is in crisis. Fighting continues between Sudan’s military leader, Abdelfattah Al-Burhan, and his deputy on Sudan’s ruling council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, who commands the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Sudan historian and conflict expert Tsega Etefa to unpack what led to this eruption in violence and provide insights into who the RSF are.