Darfur former rebel groups, RSF form special force
January 16, 2023 (EL-FASHER) The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and two groups, signatories to the Juba peace agreement, formed a joint force to restore security in the troubled region, a spokesperson told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
Ahmed Hussein Mustafa, military spokesman for the Sudan Liberation Army, led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) told Sudan Tribune that his group and the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF) of Tahir Hajar a member of the Sovereign Council, have formed a protection force in Darfur with the RSF.
“We launched a special joint force to end insecurity and restore order in the Darfur region. It consists of 80 military vehicles (10 troops by vehicle) including the SLM-MM, the GSLF, and the RSF. The other signatories should join the group later on,” Mustafa said.
He noted that the three partners would equally fund the operations of this force.
The SLM-MM official added that the joint force to maintain security and protect civilians in the Darfur region stipulated in the security arrangements chapter of the peace agreement has faced many challenges and obstacles preventing it from carrying out its tasks.
In line with the Juba peace agreement, the government and the signatory groups would form a protection force of 12,000 troops. 6000 soldiers from the government and 6000 others from the former rebel combatants.
In July 2022, the Sudanese army graduated 2000 fighters of the armed groups after receiving military training. But the peace groups complained that they have not been involved in the security operations and that their combatants are without logistics.
Earlier in January, the Sudanese army spokesperson disclosed they equipped the Civilian Protection Forces with 162 military vehicles after the spread of armed militias in the Darfur region.
The special force does not include the Sudan Liberation Movement Transitional Council (SLM-TC) led by Hadi Idris, a member of the Sovereign Council and the Sudanese Alliance of Khamis Abakr who is also the West Darfur Governor.
Reached by Sudan Tribune to ask about the non-participation of the SLM-TC in the operation, Idris stated they ignore the formation of this special force.
“I have no knowledge about the establishment of this force,” he said without further details.
The attacked civilians in Darfur are the farmers who belong to the Fur, Massalit and other small groups such as the Dajo who recently suffered an attack by nomadic Arab tribesmen.
(ST)