South Darfur governor sacks tribal leaders accused of backing RSF

November 9, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – South Darfur Governor Bashir Marsal dismissed several tribal leaders on Friday and ordered legal action against them, accusing them of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and mobilizing fighters against the government.

Those dismissed include leaders from prominent Arab tribes: Al-Tom Al-Hadi Issa Dabka, Nazir of the Bani Halba, Youssef Ali Al-Ghali Taj Al-Din, Nazir of the Habaniya, Abdel Rahman Al-Sanousi, Nazir of the Ta’aisha, Mohamed Al-Fateh, Nazir of the Fallata, Mohamed Yaqoub Ibrahim, Nazir of the Tarjam, Al-Tijani Abdel Qadir, Nazir of the Misseriya and Ali Hussein Dei Al-Nour of the Rizayqat Emirate.

Marsal said he acted in consultation with the federal Minister of Governance. He ordered authorities to file lawsuits against the dismissed leaders to hold them accountable for inciting violence and contributing to the destruction in Khartoum and other states through the “Nufara” mobilization system.

The RSF relies heavily on tribal mobilization systems like “Nufara” to recruit fighters, often by exploiting tribal loyalties and framing the conflict as an existential threat to their communities.

The governor accused the dismissed leaders of “systematic killing, looting, rape, and harbouring mercenaries,” adding that they are responsible for the deaths of thousands from their tribes.