Musa Hilal campaigns for peace in Darfur
September 12, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Musa Hilal, the founder of the Border Guard Forces (BGF) and a tribal leader of the Mahameed ethnic group, a branch of the Rizeigat tribe, concluded an extensive tour that took him through Arab tribal territories in North Darfur state.
During this tour, he advocated for an end to the ongoing conflict, while sources in close proximity to him refuted any involvement of Hilal’s forces in the clashes against the army in El Fasher.
This tour marked Musa Hilal’s first visit to the Darfur region since 2017, following his arrest and subsequent deportation to Khartoum by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He spent nearly four years incarcerated due to disputes that erupted between him and the former regime regarding the disarmament of the region and the integration of the BGF into the RSF.
On April 20, Five days after hostilities erupted between the army and the RSF, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan issued a decision to reverse the integration of the BGF into the paramilitary forces led by his rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commonly known as “Hemetti.”
The Border Guard Forces, also recognized as the Janjaweed, are a paramilitary group predominantly composed of members from Arab tribes. They had supported the army in its efforts to quell armed groups leading a rebellion in the Darfur region since 2003. However, these tribal forces faced accusations of committing war crimes and grave human rights violations during counterinsurgency military operations, which prompted the United Nations to impose sanctions on Musa Hilal.
A source with close ties to Hilal informed Sudan Tribune, “Last month, the traditional leader embarked on an extensive tour that encompassed the Al-Koma and Kutum areas in North Darfur state, where he engaged with local leaders of Arab tribes in the region.”
The primary objective of this tour was to halt the conflict in Darfur and prevent its escalation into local villages. His discourse primarily emphasized the necessity of ending hostilities to safeguard lives.
Moreover, the source categorically denied the involvement of forces linked to Musa Hilal in recent attacks on the army in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
He clarified, “The groups involved in the fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces are splinter factions based in Libya. They arrived in northern Darfur from southern Libya last month.”
In a public gathering held in Gharra Zawiya town, attended by Ali Rizkallah, known as “Al-Savanna,” Musa Hilal spoke openly for the first time about his detention by the Rapid Support Forces on November 27, 2017. His arrest stemmed from his refusal to participate in the arms collection campaign mandated by former President Omer Bashir and enforced by his deputy, Hassabo Mohamed Abdel-Rahman.
Hilal revealed that, at the time, the state’s leadership – referring to the Bashir regime – had ordered the military court to eliminate him and his group, imposing severe sentences on them.
He stated, “We were unjustly sentenced to death in the Mistariha area, where I was arrested, and at the military court. We had not committed any crimes, had not violated anyone’s rights, and were arrested even during my mother’s funeral.”
He added, “What transpired was a fabrication and a set of orchestrated scenarios, but God’s will ensured that Sheikh Musa and his group persevered and continued to exist.”
After being transferred to Khartoum, Musa Hilal and three of his sons faced trial in 2018, charged by the RSF with undermining the constitutional order, inciting war against the state, and promoting tribal discord.
He regained his freedom in March 2021, two years after the fall of the Bashir regime. However, he has since been prohibited from returning to the Darfur region by the orders of the Rapid Support leadership.
The Awakening Council led by Musa Hilal experienced multiple divisions. The primary faction is now known as the Sudanese Revolutionary Awakening Council. Other splinter groups include the Democratic Revolutionary Awakening Council, the Revolutionary Awakening Council for Correction and Change, the Sudanese Revolutionary Awakening Council – Collective Leadership, and the National Revolutionary Awakening Council.
Several factions including Al-Savanna – who appears to have recently reunited with Hilal – have sought reconciliation and started unsuccessful peace negotiations with the transitional government in Khartoum.
(ST)