Sudan’s RSF special operations commander defects to army

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Azraq al-Fanjari, commander of the special missions and special operations group within Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), announced on Thursday that he had defected and joined the Sudanese Armed Forces.

In a video message, al-Fanjari called for an end to the war and urged Sudanese people to return to the “embrace of the homeland”, declaring his allegiance to the army.

He apologised to the Sudanese people for the consequences of what he described as an “absurd war” and condemned violations against civilians.

Al-Fanjari left RSF positions accompanied by about 300 officers and soldiers in around 30 combat vehicles, according to Sudanese media. The group included armed personnel and military vehicles.

In the video, he said his decision followed a reassessment of his position on the war. He urged his fellow RSF members to abandon the fighting and side with what he described as the national interest.

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Last week, the Sudanese government announced that a force of more than 100 fighters, including 18 officers, from the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces movement, led by al-Taher Hajar and allied with the RSF, had joined the Sudanese army in North Darfur.

According to a government statement, a breakaway force from Hajar’s movement and the RSF arrived at the Tina front in North Darfur state under the command of Mohamedein Ismail Abu Zara, bringing its full military equipment and several combat vehicles.

The government said the force had declared its allegiance to the armed forces and would take part in military operations alongside the army from the western front.

Abu Zara said the decision to join the army came after his fighters recognised what he described as the RSF’s threat to Sudan’s unity and to the security and stability of the Darfur region. The statement added that the force would immediately take part in military operations against the RSF.

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