Sudan army completes first phase of integrating RSF defectors

August 20, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have completed the initial phase of processing and regularizing the status of defectors from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the military said in a statement.

The move follows a series of defections across Darfur and Kordofan in recent months, culminating on Wednesday when a unit of more than 300 RSF fighters surrendered to army units in Northern State.

The military stated on Wednesday that the first phase of regularisation had concluded for individuals who broke ranks with the RSF in response to amnesty calls issued by military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since conflict erupted in April 2023.

Burhan, who heads Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, has repeatedly pledged pardons for RSF personnel who defect to the national army.

The administrative integration was overseen by Major General El-Waleed Abdel Gadir Ajabna, head of the army’s administration branch, alongside senior field commanders.

Procedures included administrative regularisation under standard military regulations and assignment to various operational units, following comprehensive security and intelligence background checks to ensure defectors have clean records.

Ajabna praised the former paramilitaries for aligning with the national armed forces after completing thorough security clearances.

Brigadier General Isaac Saad Osman, who heads the committee tasked with regularizing the status of former RSF personnel, detailed the integration measures and commended the defectors’ decision to switch sides.

The RSF has not commented on the defections.