The Face of Truth: Khartoum in the Face of the Black Propaganda War
Ibrahim Shglawi
With the defeat of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia on the battlefield, the confrontation has shifted to a new arena that is no less dangerous than direct combat—the war of information and black propaganda. After failing to achieve military gains against the state and its citizens, the militia and its local supporters have recently resorted to psychological warfare as a tool to spread fear and destabilize the liberated areas of Khartoum State or those that have remained secure under army control.
In recent days, warning messages have circulated on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, claiming that there is widespread security chaos in localities reclaimed by the state. While security concerns are natural in a post-war context, the intense wording of these messages and their repeated dissemination at specific times suggest a systematic campaign aimed at creating an atmosphere of chaos. These messages use alarmist language such as “Beware of suspicious movements” and “Do not move alone” to reinforce a sense of constant danger, potentially leading citizens to doubt the state’s ability to maintain security.
These messages also seek to promote the militia’s narrative by implying that Sudan as a whole is in a state of chaos, thus justifying claims that conditions were more stable before the liberation operations. Furthermore, these messages include indirect incitement by suggesting the need for individual armament through phrases like “Always keep your weapon close.” This could lead to an uncontrolled escalation that serves the militia and its supporters while reinforcing the perception of lawlessness. Additionally, these messages focus on women as a vulnerable group needing protection, urging them not to move alone—an attempt to instill fear within families and hinder the return to normal life.
What makes this propaganda even more dangerous is its reliance on anonymous sources, as it spreads through unverified channels such as WhatsApp groups rather than being issued by credible media or official sources. This raises suspicions that it is part of a widespread disinformation campaign targeting citizens’ security and affecting the return of displaced persons to their homes. Reports indicate that return rates have significantly increased recently. According to Al-Khabar Network, citing the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 396,000 families have returned to their homes in Al-Jazira, Sennar, and Khartoum over the past four months. The report states, “Between December 18 of last year and March 4 of this year, approximately 396,738 internally displaced persons returned to their original locations.”
This voluntary return of displaced persons, along with internal movements, indicates positive trends. Therefore, it is crucial to counter this panic-inducing psychological warfare through well-planned actions. Measures must be taken to combat it, starting with avoiding the spread of such warning messages without verifying their authenticity from official sources. Moreover, an emphasis should be placed on promoting positive discourse through awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of community cooperation instead of succumbing to fear. Additionally, suspicious accounts spreading such content should be reported, as they are part of a targeted propaganda effort aimed at destabilizing the situation.
At the official level, Khartoum State witnessed an important security committee meeting yesterday, chaired by Governor Ahmed Othman Hamza, with the participation of Lieutenant General Yasir Al-Atta, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and member of the Sovereign Council, alongside high-ranking security and military officials. The meeting resulted in several strategic decisions aimed at restoring security and reorganizing affairs in the liberated areas. These included reaffirming the return of law enforcement agencies to their original locations to resume their normal duties in all localities, implementing an urgent security plan to eliminate negative phenomena, dealing decisively with lawbreakers, securing lives and property, and facilitating the gradual return of displaced persons to their homes.
The State Security Committee was also tasked with enforcing security deployment decisions within 48 hours to ensure the rapid restoration of normal life.
As the RSF militia attempts to compensate for its battlefield losses through an information war and black propaganda, strategic security measures and public awareness serve as the first line of defense in this phase. The challenge now is not only about security solutions but also about the ability of citizens and national media to expose these misinformation campaigns, strengthen public confidence in state security institutions, and prevent psychological destabilization efforts from achieving their goals.
It remains essential for the state government to address any potential challenges amid the fragile security situation in some areas, particularly during nighttime hours. Therefore, police patrols must be intensified, security checkpoints increased, and community security units reinstated in residential neighborhoods to ensure that citizens enjoy peace and stability.
Wishing you all safety and well-being.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com