الصين وتصنيف قوات الدعم السريع كجماعة إرهابية: وتأكد استعدادها لدعم الجيش الوطني السوداني

# China and the Classification of the Rapid Support Forces as a Terrorist Group: Its Willingness to Support the Sudanese National Army

## Introduction

In recent years, the Middle East and Africa have witnessed numerous conflicts that have led to the rise of armed groups and paramilitary militias, raising concerns at both local and international levels. Sudan, a large country in terms of area and strategic location in Africa, has not been an exception, as the country has experienced ongoing internal conflicts between the Sudanese National Army and the Rapid Support Forces.

In this context, claims have emerged that China, which has economic and strategic interests in Sudan, has classified the Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist group and expressed its readiness to support the Sudanese National Army. This claim opens the door to questions about the accuracy of these classifications, their political and economic implications, and the extent of China's readiness to intervene in Sudanese affairs.

## China's Interests in Sudan

Before discussing China's classification of the Rapid Support Forces, it is important to review its interests in Sudan. China has massive economic interests in Sudan, particularly in the oil and infrastructure sectors. Sudan has been one of the African countries that have formed strong partnerships with China, where Chinese companies have significantly contributed to building key infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and ports.

Additionally, Sudan is one of the key partners in the "Belt and Road Initiative," an ambitious Chinese project aimed at strengthening economic and trade ties between Asia and Africa. Given these interests, China seeks to maintain the stability of Sudan for reasons related to energy security and the continuity of its investments.

## The Rapid Support Forces: Background and Activities

The Rapid Support Forces in Sudan is a paramilitary militia that originated from the Janjaweed militias, which played a major role in the conflict in Darfur. Despite its controversial historical role, it has become a major player in Sudanese politics following the ousting of Omar al-Bashir’s regime in 2019. The Rapid Support Forces are distinguished by their significant military power and vast financial resources, making them compete with the Sudanese Army for influence.

Since the open conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Army erupted in 2023, international concerns have increased about the impact of this conflict on regional stability, especially as the Rapid Support Forces are accused of committing widespread human rights violations.

## China’s Classification of the Rapid Support Forces as a Terrorist Group

Some analysts suggest that China, which closely monitors the situation in Sudan, may have taken steps to classify the Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist group. If these reports are accurate, it would represent an unprecedented step in China’s foreign policy, which is typically characterized by non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

But what prompted China to take such a stance? The reasons can be summarized as follows:

1. **Threat to Regional Stability**: The stability of Sudan is very important to China due to its direct link to its investments and the Belt and Road Initiative. The growing influence of the Rapid Support Forces and the armed clashes with the Sudanese Army threaten to destabilize the country, which could negatively affect China's interests in the region.

2. **Crimes Against Humanity**: The Rapid Support Forces are accused of committing serious human rights violations, including excessive violence against civilians. China, which seeks to improve its global image and strengthen its relations with African countries, may see classifying the Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist group as a way to emphasize its commitment to international laws and the fight against terrorism.

3. **International Pressure**: In recent years, there has been increasing international pressure on governments and institutions to take firm stances against armed groups committing human rights violations. China, which aims to maintain good relations with global powers, may have responded to this pressure by classifying the Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist group.

## China's Willingness to Support the Sudanese National Army

If China has indeed classified the Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist group, this strengthens the hypothesis that it is willing to provide support to the Sudanese National Army. China follows a pragmatic approach in dealing with international partners, and in the case of Sudan, it may see the National Army as the most stable partner capable of maintaining the country's unity.

Chinese support for the Sudanese Army could take several forms:

1. **Military Support**: Although China rarely intervenes militarily in the internal affairs of countries, it may provide logistical or technical assistance to the Sudanese Army. This could include supplying arms or offering military training.

2. **Economic Support**: China could enhance the Sudanese Army’s capacity by providing economic aid or investments aimed at improving infrastructure that may be necessary to support military operations.

3. **Diplomatic Support**: China might use its diplomatic influence to support the Sudanese Army on the international stage. China could be a strong ally in the United Nations Security Council or other international institutions to affirm the legitimacy of the National Army in confronting the Rapid Support Forces.

## Challenges and Implications

Despite China's potential support for the Sudanese National Army, there are several challenges that may arise from this stance. For instance:

1. **Impact on Regional Relations**: China's support for the National Army may lead to strained relations with other African countries that might be sympathetic to the Rapid Support Forces or prefer non-foreign intervention in Sudanese affairs.

2. **Security Risks**: Supporting the National Army could intensify the conflict in Sudan, leading to an escalation in violence. This could negatively affect regional stability and pose a threat to China’s investments.

3. **Impact on China’s Reputation**: If China were to provide explicit military support to the Sudanese Army, it might face new international criticism, especially given the global sensitivity towards military interventions.

## Conclusion

China's classification of the Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist group and its readiness to support the Sudanese National Army, if proven accurate, represents a major shift in China’s foreign policies and reflects its deep interest in Sudan’s stability. At the same time, this stance poses significant challenges for China on both the regional and international levels. China seeks to strike a delicate balance between protecting its economic interests and avoiding direct involvement in armed conflicts that could lead to long-term negative repercussions.