1.2 Contextual Analysis Map of Sudan showing states with capital cities (UN, March 2012)1 Sudan is ethnically diverse with over five hundred ethnic groups of Arab and African tribes.2 In the previous years of the Al Bashir regime, the Janjaweed3 militia (currently operating as the RSF)4 had the backing of government and was composed of fighters mainly from the Darfuri Arab tribes. As the successor to the Janjaweed, the RSF has maintained their attitude of advancing the ideology of Arab supremacy. Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan | OHCHR Sudan Demographics & Ethnic Groups - Lesson | Study.com 3 Janjaweed is a word used widely and historically in west Sudan, and particularly during the Darfur conflict, to describe Arab militia groups. It’s a combination of Arabic words which can be translated as; devil on horseback holding a G3 rifle. 4 Civil War in Sudan | Global Conflict Tracker Sudan war: A simple guide to what is happening Sudan unrest: What are the Rapid Support Forces? | News | Al Jazeera 1 2 7