In a significant development amid Sudan ‘s civil war, two rebel groups from the troubled Darfur region have announced their decision to join forces with the Sudanese army. The move comes in response to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) making substantial gains in Darfur, where accusations of ethnic cleansing have been directed at the RSF.
Rebel leader Gibril Ibrahim, representing the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem), revealed in an interview with BBC Newsday that their primary objective is to protect civilians from the alleged atrocities committed by the RSF, including the disturbing claim of burying people alive. He emphasized that the decision to collaborate with the army was not taken lightly, taking seven months of negotiations to reach an agreement.
The history between Jem and the Sudanese army is fraught with tension, marked by personal tragedy as Mr. Ibrahim’s brother, the group’s former leader, was killed by the army. Jem and the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM) initially took up arms in 2003, accusing the government of marginalizing Darfur’s black African communities. The ensuing conflict led to what has been described as the 21st Century’s first genocide, as Arab militias mobilized by the government targeted the rebels.
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The RSF, which evolved from these militias, has been engaged in a power struggle with the army since April, resulting in the recent capture of key towns in Darfur, including Nyala, the country’s second-largest city. Reports of massacres in El Geneina have intensified concerns, with the RSF attributing the violence to a “tribal conflict.”
A joint statement from Jem and the SLM declared, “We have announced ending any neutrality and joining the military operations at all frontlines without hesitation.” Mr. Ibrahim voiced his apprehensions about the RSF’s advances, expressing fear that Sudan might become further divided, potentially leading to the establishment of a separate government in the war-torn western region.
As tensions escalate in Sudan’s civil war, the collaboration between Darfur rebel groups and the Sudanese army adds a complex dimension to the conflict, raising concerns about the country’s future and the well-being of its citizens in the impoverished and war-torn western region.
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