Eight Darfur groups unveil plan to reclaim cities from Rapid Support Forces
April 28, 2024 (BARKAL, North Darfur) – Eight Darfur former rebel groups announced a joint plan on Sunday to regain control of Darfur cities currently held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in the region.
In recent months, the RSF seized control of four state capitals: Nyala of South Darfur, Geneina of West Darfur, Daein of East Darfur, and Zalingei of Central Darfur. Only El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, remains under the control of the Sudanese army.
The three-day conference, held in the Barkal area of North Darfur, brought together signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement, including the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Minni Minawi, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim, the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF) led by Abdallah Yahiya, the Sudanese Alliance led by Al-Bukhari Ahmed, SLM of Mustafa Tambour, JEM of Bakhit Dabajo, SLM-Transitional Council of Mustafa Rassas and the SLM- Leadership Council. Additionally, the Sudanese Popular Body for Supporting the Armed Forces and Building Sudan and Darfur Region Popular Support and Resistance Body.
According to a joint statement, the conference produced “a strategic plan with humanitarian, social, political, military, and security aspects. The goal is to retake cities under militia control, improve civilian protection, and preserve the unity of Sudan’s land and people.”
The statement emphasized the movements’ commitment to collaborating with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the national army, and other legitimate state institutions “to prevent the collapse of Sudan.
The groups also pledged to engage with international actors, including embassies, diplomatic missions, and human rights and humanitarian organizations. They aim to “raise awareness of the war’s realities and associated violations, rectify misconceptions, and expose the RSF’s crimes.”
The statement condemned countries supporting the RSF, specifically the United Arab Emirates and the Chadian government. It further denounced “agents” – foreign countries and Sudanese political forces – accused of seeking to divide the nation and bolster the RSF’s image despite its alleged crimes.
The conference called for documenting RSF crimes and violations to ensure perpetrators face fair trials, upholding the principle of accountability.
Among the signatory groups, the SLM- Transitional Council led by Hadi Idris and the GSLF led by Tahir Hajer have refused to join the army and instead call for neutrality. The holdout faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur also maintains its stance of neutrality in the ongoing conflict.