Port Sudan, August 19(Darfur 24)
The General Supervisor of the Joint Force and head of the Sudan Liberation Movement, Minni Arko Minawi, has called for the immediate completion of security arrangements in all areas as stipulated in the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement, in conjunction with the decision of Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to subject all combat forces to the Armed Forces Law.
In an exclusive interview with Darfur24, Minawi said “Since a decision has been issued to subjugate all forces fighting alongside the army to the Armed Forces Law, security arrangements must be completed immediately.” He added that the areas of force integration include the army, police, security, security and military institutes and colleges, and the army’s supreme command.
The army commander issued a decision subjecting all forces fighting with the army to the Armed Forces Law.
Minnawi commented briefly on the decision, saying, “It’s okay.”
The recent weeks have witnessed muted tension between the army and the joint forces. Minawi has repeatedly complained about the delay in lifting the siege of El Fasher, accusing unnamed parties of delaying the army’s movement toward the besieged city.
The Armed Forces Law of 2007 stipulates strict penalties for those who refuse to obey orders or instructions. The commander of any military formation who explicitly or implicitly refuses, refrains from, or unjustifiably delays the implementation of instructions issued to him by his supreme commander in the areas of operations shall be punished with imprisonment for a period of no less than ten years. The death penalty shall be imposed if the intent is to influence the course of operations or the failure of the force.
It also includes prison sentences of no less than 20 years for anyone who abandons their military positions, and a similar sentence for anyone who offers a truce or surrender without instructions from the commanding officer. The same penalty, or the death penalty, applies to anyone who assists the enemy by communicating, providing information, providing cover, or providing weapons.
The Armed Forces Law also prohibits rebellion against the constitutional order and military order, and punishes such crimes with death or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years.