The Sudanese army has reported that a senior commander from the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has defected, marking the first such move since fighting erupted between the two sides over 18 months ago. Abuagla Keikal, previously an army officer and the RSF’s top commander in El Gezira state, reportedly switched sides along with some of his troops. Following the army’s announcement, the RSF accused Keikal of defecting due to a “deal” and claimed to have inflicted losses on his defectors. However, the army said that Keikal defected because of the RSF’s “destructive agenda.” The conflict, which began in April 2023 over power struggles between the RSF and the army, has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displacing over 10 million people and driving many to extreme hunger or famine.
SOURCE: REUTERS
Sudanese Army Announces Defection of Senior Rapid Support Forces Commander
