A recent video clip that has surfaced may change the dynamics in Sudan. It shows leaders of Arab tribes in Darfur urging their followers to join the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and leave the army, fueling ethnic conflict in this western region of Sudan. In Darfur, which means the “home of the Fur tribe,” a non-Arab ethnic group, minority non-Arab tribes in Darfur were attacked in 2003, allegedly on the orders of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is currently being tried by the International Criminal Court for “war crimes” related to those events.
Twenty years after that war, the divide is deepening between Arab and non-Arab ethnic groups, especially since the outbreak of the devastating conflict in early spring between the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and the army led by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Many residents of western Darfur speak of Arab tribal militias “executing” civilians simply because they belong to non-Arab tribes.
Activists condemn the widespread assassinations. The battles have now spread to South Darfur, especially in the capital, Nyala, the second-largest city in Sudan.
In that state, leaders of the seven largest Arab tribes in the region have called on all members of their tribes to join the RSF, demanding in particular that those serving in the army leave and transfer to the other camp.
Abdelmonem Kadibo, an independent journalist from Darfur, believes that this call “will lead to the division of South Darfur into Arab and non-Arab factions, as happened in Geneina.” However, Adam Mahdi, a political analyst specializing in Darfur affairs, points out that the Arab tribes “are the ones who control South Darfur because the majority of the population belongs to them.” So far, there have been no reports of any rebellion by elements of the army, but in South Darfur, everyone points out that the second-in-command of army operations in Nyala is a general from an Arab tribe, as is the second man in charge of army operations in the neighboring East Darfur state.
Mahdi tells Agence France-Presse that the army could find itself facing a broad and united front “that could drive it out of South Darfur, where it has already lost most of its bases.” He continues, “The reaction might be to arm opposing tribes to fight a proxy war.” A military source believes this scenario is exaggerated and says, seeking anonymity, that the RSF, which eagerly welcomed the video of the tribal leaders, is “looking for a media buzz.”
He adds that the tribal leaders prefer “their own interests,” which currently align with the interests of General Dagalo. In South and East Darfur, where Arab tribes make up the majority, tribal fighters have already joined the RSF, according to many residents of these two states.
Before the war, both sides were trying to win over the people of Darfur. The intelligence apparatus affiliated with the army was active in attracting members from Darfur, and the recent video of tribal leaders was intended to “block the army’s path and clearly declare allegiance.” The joining of these volunteers would reinforce the RSF, which does not report losses but is subject to constant airstrikes by the army. On Monday evening, residents reported that tribal fighters supported by the RSF launched a new attack on a town in western Darfur.
