Date: June 22, 2026 l By Kimberly White
KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan’s military has begun incorporating former commanders from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into its ranks, a move intended to strengthen battlefield positioning but one that is also triggering anger and concern among civilians and survivors of violence in Darfur.
The development comes as Sudan’s civil war continues to reshape political and military alliances more than three years after fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF in April 2023. The conflict has contributed to mass displacement, widespread humanitarian suffering and one of the world’s largest ongoing crises.
Among the most visible defections is Ali Rizkallah, widely known as “al-Savannah,” a former RSF commander in Darfur who was publicly received in Khartoum and granted military status after previously fighting against government forces. His defection is one of several recent shifts viewed by analysts as part of the army’s effort to weaken the RSF by encouraging internal fractures.
However, the move has generated criticism from civilians who accuse former RSF leaders of overseeing abuses during military operations in Darfur. Reuters reported testimony from survivors who questioned whether integrating former commanders into state structures could undermine prospects for accountability.
One Darfur resident interviewed by Reuters described repeated displacement and attacks during fighting around the region. Survivors and activists have argued that communities affected by the conflict continue to carry unresolved trauma while seeking justice for losses and alleged abuses experienced during the war.
Another former RSF commander from North Darfur, al-Nour Guba, who also defected earlier this year, stated in remarks to Reuters that former commanders should face accountability if evidence of crimes exists and denied changing sides to avoid responsibility.
Human rights advocates remain skeptical that wartime conditions will allow meaningful legal processes in the near term. Analysts warn that while absorbing defectors may offer short-term military advantages for the army, unresolved grievances and questions around accountability could create longer-term instability.
The latest developments unfold as international concern grows over renewed fighting in key regions of Sudan and warnings that additional escalation could place large civilian populations at risk. Diplomats and humanitarian organizations continue to call for protection of civilians and pathways toward accountability and political resolution.