RSF assault JEM’s leader home in Khartoum, arrest guards

September 10, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – A prominent leader from the Justice and Equality Movement  (JEM) revealed on Sunday that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had conducted a raid on the residence of the group’s leader, Gibril Ibrahim, and arrested his former guard commander and two others.

Since the outbreak of hostilities between the army and the paramilitary forces on April 15, JEM has staunchly maintained its commitment to neutrality, refraining from supporting either side in the conflict. Also, Ibrahim along with other leaders, engaged in an initiative aimed at halting the fighting.

However, recent tensions have surfaced between the two sides. This friction became apparent following the dismissal of several JEM figures, including Suleiman Sandal and Ahmed Tuqud, from their positions following a meeting with the RSF deputy commander. Subsequently, the dismissed members formed an independent movement with alleged support from the Rapid Support Forces.”

In statements given to Sudan Tribune, an anonymous JEM leader disclosed, “An RSF unit launched an assault on the residence of Gibril Ibrahim, located in Al-Manshiya, east of Khartoum, last Thursday. They arrested the former guard team, Mohamed Tom, and two others, who transported them to their headquarters in Khartoum North.”

The official who requested anonymity further revealed that officials in the JEM’s executive office and the movement’s leader had initiated contact with RSF leadership to secure the release of the detained individuals.

He continued, “Since the movement strongly condemned the actions of the RSF and their targeting of unarmed civilians during our consultative conference held in Port Sudan last month, the RSF personnel stationed in Mansheya have persistently provoked the movement’s fighters present in Gibril’s residence by indiscriminately firing towards the premises.”

On Saturday, Minni Minnawi the Sudan Liberation Movement leader expressed frustrations saying RSF supporters have plans to attack their joint force escorting humanitarian and commercial convoys from and to the Darfur region.

RSF supporters criticise Minnawi for his meeting with the head of the Sovereign Council al-Burhan after his coming out from Khartoum. Ibrahim is also slammed for his “fake neutrality” while he keeps working with al-Burhan.

Also, the Darfur armed groups have been fragilized by the five-month conflict, due to their failure to protect civilians in the region.