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Bloody Mutiny in Sudan Casts Shadow Over Drive for Democracy

  • Revolt that killed five shows vast security state in disarray
  • Myriad militias, agencies pose threat to democratic transition
Members of Sudan’s security forces fire into the air at the headquarters of the Directorate of General Intelligence Service in Khartoum on Jan. 14.
Members of Sudan’s security forces fire into the air at the headquarters of the Directorate of General Intelligence Service in Khartoum on Jan. 14.

Photographer: Ashraf Shazly/AFP via Getty Images

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When disgruntled Sudanese spies took up arms and gunfire rang out across Khartoum, even members of the most powerful pro-government militia were startled.

As mutiny rocked three security buildings in the capital on Tuesday afternoon, fighters from the notorious Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group rushed to respond. By the next morning, five people -- two of them soldiers -- were dead, and the transitional government said the bloodshed sparked by a pay dispute was over.