South African presidency sparks controversy with misidentification of RSF leader

January 4, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The South African presidency caused a stir on Thursday when they mistakenly referred to Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti” as the President of Sudan in a statement posted on social media.

Hemetti, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces, had met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria to discuss his vision for ending the nearly nine-month-long war with the Sudanese army.

After the meeting, the South African presidency posted a statement on X saying that President Ramaphosa had received a “courtesy call from his Excellency President Mohamed Hamdan Daglo at his official residence in Tshwane”.

The South African presidency’s statement quickly circulated on social media and was posted on forums and discussion groups. Arab media outlets also translated and published the statement before it was taken down.

The South African presidency subsequently issued a new statement referring to Hemetti as the “leader of the Rapid Support Forces of the Republic of Sudan”. However, they did not apologize or acknowledge the error in their initial statement.

The erroneous post occurred as the Sudanese foreign minister announced that they had summoned the Sudanese ambassador to Nairobi to express their displeasure at the official reception of Hemetti by Kenyan President William Ruto at his office, with the flags of Sudan and Kenya flying.

During his Independence Day address, Sovereign Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan conveyed his disapproval of the warm reception extended by regional heads of state and government to the “rebel leader” who continues to travel using a Boeing 737 owned by the UAE royal family.

The Sudanese foreign ministry in Port Sudan on Thursday spoke of “hostile regional powers”.

The South African president “commended the central role of the African Union and IGAD under the chairship of Djibouti in mediating between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and participation of the people of Sudan, and civil society in finding a lasting solution to the security and political challenges,” stated the presidency in Pretoria.

According to the statement, Ramaphosa expressed South Africa’s support for the imminent face-to-face meeting between al-Burhan and Dagalo and reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue towards permanent cessation of hostilities.

(ST)