The Sudanese army announced on Sunday that a commander from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), their enemy, had defected along with a portion of his troops. This would mark the first time a senior person from either side has done so since the conflict began more than 18 months ago.
The RSF, which has taken over major areas of the nation in a fight with the military that the UN claims has resulted in one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes in history, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Army supporters published pictures online that they claimed to be of Abuagla Keikal, a former army officer who defected and went on to become the top commander of the RSF in the southeast state of El Gezira.
The army, which recently declared victories over the RSF in parts of the capital, said Keikal had decided to make the move because of his former force’s “destructive agenda.”.
It did not go into further detail, and there was no statement, in print or on video, from Keikal.
Over ten million people have been forced to flee their homes due to the violence, which has also caused severe starvation in some areas of the nation and attracted international powers who have provided material support to both sides.
It started in April 2023 when rivalries between the army and the RSF, who had been vying for influence before a transition to civilian rule supported by the international community, became apparent.
After pulling off a coup in 2021, two years after veteran tyrant Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by a popular revolt, the army and the RSF had previously shared power.
(Reuters)
