Community leaders and activists from the Fur tribe in Central Darfur, Sudan, have expressed their opposition to the announcement by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) about the establishment of a new “Emirate” for a recently arrived Arab group from the Central African Republic.
According to the “Sudan Tribune,” the Sudanese tribal leaders warned against the RSF’s move, which they view as a demographic change and the empowerment of alternative groups at the expense of the indigenous population.
The opposition arose following a video posted by RSF-affiliated platforms, showcasing a celebration held by the “Oulad Baraka and Mubarak” group to mark the establishment of the emirate. The event was addressed by Brigadier Mohamed Adam Bengouz, the RSF commander for Central Darfur.
A prominent community leader from the Fur tribe described the move as an occupation of Fur historical lands by Arab tribes, facilitated and protected by the leadership of the RSF, which he accused of striving to empower groups supportive of its cause.
Abbas Abdel Kabir, a human rights activist in Central Darfur, emphasized that the creation of a founding conference for the Oulad Baraka and Mubarak branch in the state is part of a long-standing series of demographic changes in Central Darfur and the broader Darfur region.
He noted that whenever the RSF and its allied Arab tribes gain control of a new area, they establish parallel traditional administrations with greater authority than the existing indigenous tribal governance.
The Sudanese activist accused the RSF of imposing severe restrictions on the movements of non-loyal traditional administrations in Central Darfur, suppressing and demeaning them, and preventing them from speaking out about crimes, including land occupations and the allocation of lands to new groups.
It’s noted that in August, representatives from the Rizeigat, Salamat, and Falata tribes in Central Darfur signed a declaration of support for the RSF, pledging to fight alongside it.
Earlier, last Saturday, the Sudanese Armed Forces’ intelligence, in cooperation with joint forces, seized a large shipment of weapons intended for the RSF.
