Sudan’s military has welcomed the defection of a high-ranking commander from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), signaling a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict.
On Sunday, the army confirmed that Major General Abu Aqila Kikel, a senior RSF commander, joined the Sudanese Armed Forces, a move that could prolong the war between the two factions, which has been raging since April 2023.
General Kikel, who previously held significant control over parts of Sudan’s Al-Jazira state, defected with his forces, according to reports circulating on social media.
Videos showed him surrounded by senior military officers and soldiers, confirming his surrender to the army in the Al-Butana region, a strategic area bordering four key states: Khartoum, Al-Jazira, Kassala, and Gedaref.
Kikel’s defection comes at a crucial time in the war, which has splintered into regional and localized conflicts across Sudan.
His departure from the RSF is seen as a major setback for the paramilitary force, which has been primarily composed of fighters from Sudan’s western states, while Kikel himself hails from Al-Jazira. A retired army officer with ties to Sudan’s Islamist factions, Kikel had established a militia known as the “Sudan Shield” with 35,000 fighters, before joining the RSF in August 2023.
He justified his alignment with the RSF by claiming to fight for marginalized groups and against remnants of the previous regime.
The Sudanese Armed Forces spokesperson praised Kikel’s defection, noting that his decision was driven by a realization of the RSF’s “false and criminal agenda,” accusing the paramilitary group, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), of being part of an international plot to destabilize Sudan.
The army’s statement further invited other RSF members to join their ranks, extending amnesty to any who choose to defect.
The RSF has not officially commented on Kikel’s defection, but sources aligned with the group have downplayed the significance of his surrender, branding him a traitor.
His decision to leave, however, represents the first time a high-ranking RSF commander has switched sides, raising questions about the stability within the paramilitary ranks.
Kikel had been appointed commander of the RSF’s First Infantry Division in Al-Jazira’s capital, Wad Madani, after the RSF took control of the state in December 2023.
His forces, particularly in eastern Al-Jazira, have been accused of widespread atrocities, including the killing of civilians, looting, and forced displacement. These abuses have led to the mass exodus of residents to Sudan’s eastern states.
The defection could significantly impact the ongoing battle for control of Al-Jazira. The region has become a key battleground, with both the army and the RSF vying for control. The army has been attempting to retake Al-Jazira for months, facing stiff resistance from RSF units stationed in the western part of the state.
Sudan’s war, which began as a power struggle between the army and the RSF following the collapse of peace talks, has devolved into a humanitarian catastrophe. Thousands of civilians have been killed, and millions have been displaced, as both factions continue to fight for control of strategic regions across the country.
The defection of Kikel may signal a shift in momentum, but it also raises the prospect of further fragmentation and the continuation of Sudan’s brutal conflict.
