Between truth and rumor: the battle for trust in Sudan’s Establishment Forces
Amid Sudan’s ongoing military and political turmoil, the conflict has moved beyond the battlefield. It now extends into the media landscape and psychological warfare, where rumors have become strategic weapons. Recently, claims surfaced alleging that leaders of the Establishment Forces were receiving financial support from the Sudanese army—an overt attempt to fracture internal unity and tarnish the image of this emerging force, which enjoys significant popular trust.
The objectives of these rumors
Rumors are not mere fleeting words; they are deliberate tools designed to serve multiple purposes:
Undermining internal trust by casting doubts on the integrity of leadership, hoping to sow division.
Shaping public opinion by portraying the forces as financially compromised rather than as a genuine national institution fighting for citizens.
Offsetting battlefield failures: unable to secure victories on the ground, the army seeks to compensate through disinformation campaigns.
Trust built through sacrifice
The Establishment Forces, born out of Sudan’s crisis, are defined not by deals or narrow interests but by the sacrifices of their fighters on the frontlines. Attempts to discredit them with claims of corruption or bribery are seen as part of a desperate propaganda drive. Sudanese society, however, recognizes the background of these campaigns and distinguishes between propaganda and those who truly defend them on the ground.
Tactics of the Sudanese army in the information war
Close observers note that the army has resorted to questionable strategies in its media offensive:
Spreading falsehoods such as fabricated claims of bribery or leadership defections.
Inventing news stories attributed to unverifiable “anonymous sources.”
Sowing internal discord by leveraging social media and broadcast channels to instill suspicion among the ranks.
Although these methods may seem effective at first, their lack of credibility eventually surfaces, exposing the army’s failure to address the facts on the ground.
A deterrent message against corruption attempts
Like any military or political entity, the Establishment Forces face the risk of infiltration through bribery or temptation. Yet their position remains clear:
They will not sell their honor.
They will not allow corrupt individuals to penetrate their ranks.
History remembers the sacrifices of patriots and condemns the betrayers.
Any act of betrayal, no matter how small, undermines collective trust and jeopardizes Sudan’s future.
Rumors die only with awareness. This is why the responsibility lies with national media, activists, and citizens to expose falsehoods, counter them with facts, and safeguard truth. The adversary knows that the people’s trust in the Establishment Forces is their strongest line of defense. For this reason, unmasking and dismantling propaganda is crucial in protecting the confidence of the Sudanese street.
