Popular Defence Forces

Popular Defence Forces
Emblem of the Popular Defence Forces
Active 1989–present
Country  Sudan
Allegiance National Congress
(formerly the National Islamic Front)
Engagements Second Sudanese Civil War
War in Darfur
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Ali Ahmed Karti
(Commander in the 1990s)

The Popular Defence Forces is a paramilitary force of Sudan established by the 1989 Popular Defence Forces Act. Whilst a part of Sudan's military under international law due to being created by statute, the force is defined by the 1989 Act as being a semi-military force to be formed from Sudanese citizens.[1]

The force has close links with the National Islamic Front, and was originally formed as a dedicated Islamist militia. The force now largely operates as a reserve force for the Sudanese Armed Forces.[2] Upon its foundation in 1989, several tribal militias throughout Sudan were integrated into the PDF, including the Messiria tribe's murahiliin, the Rizeigat tribe's fursan, and the Fertit Army of Peace.[3]

In 2004, the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress estimated that the Popular Defence Forces consisted of 10,000 active members, with 85,000 reserves.[4] It has been deployed alongside regular army units against various rebel groups.

References

  1. ↑ John Pike. "Sudan - Popular Defense Force". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
  2. ↑ "Sudan: The Popular Defence Forces (PDF), including whether it is affiliated with the military; maximum age of conscription into the PDF and whether there are exemptions from service; whether individuals must serve for a three-month period, regardless of age, sex and medical condition, to keep their job and pension; whether those who had served with the PDF for three months had to report to police stations in June 2008 for further service; if so, consequences for not reporting". Refworld. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
  3. ↑ Rone (1996), p. 275.
  4. ↑ "Library of Congress Country Profile Sudan" (PDF). Memory.loc.gov. December 2004. Retrieved 2015-10-27.

Bibliography

  • Rone, Janera (1996). Behind the Red Line: Political Repression in Sudan. New York City: Human Rights Watch.
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