This archive report was first published on 14 January 2020.
On January 14, 2020, gunfire erupted at Sudanese military bases in Khartoum, as some members of the National Security Intelligence Service protested against reforms.
The protests, which involved a group of soldiers, were sparked by a decision to send some home, disband their units, and merge them with another.
Residents of Khartoum, who had enjoyed relative tranquility for six months, were left fearing another violent incident.
According to a statement by the Sudanese intelligence, the soldiers opposed the restructuring of the agency and demanded better pay and severance packages.
The situation was described as a 'stand-off' and the matter was said to be under investigation.
Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok assured citizens that the situation was under control and would not stop the country's march towards its goals.
He tweeted, "We assure our citizens that the events that occurred today are under control and they will not stop our march or cause a retreat from the goals of the revolution. The current situation proves the need to confirm the current partnership and push it forward to achieve higher goals. We renew our confidence in the armed and regular forces and their ability to control the situation,"
The Sudanese military is undergoing various security reforms, which could see some units disbanded, merged, or have their operations limited.
The Operations Corps, a unit that guarded key military installations and gathered intelligence in times of conflict, is to be disbanded.
Some soldiers relieved of duties will be appended to the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary unit that emerged from the feared Janjaweed militia.
The International Criminal Court had accused some members of the Janjaweed militia of killing and raping, as well as running a scorched-earth policy in the Darfur region.
