The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong condemnation of the Rapid Support Forces, accusing them of conducting "savage retaliatory campaigns" in the Eastern Al-Jazirah and Al-Butana regions. The ministry claims these campaigns amount to acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing, targeting civilians based on tribal and regional affiliations.
In a press statement, the ministry stated that the RSF's actions are a response to the recent defection of "certain" high-ranking RSF commanders. According to the statement, hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured in the RSF's attacks, with thousands more forcibly displaced from their homes.
The ministry's statement came in the wake of the defection of Abuagla Keikal, the RSF's top commander in the southeastern Al-Jazirah state, which marked a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023.
"The silence and indifference of the international community toward these crimes only embolden the Militia and its regional sponsor to continue committing massacres and acts of genocide with impunity," the ministry said, calling for condemnation of these actions and holding the perpetrators accountable.
The government has also demanded an end to the flow of arms and mercenaries to the RSF, highlighting the international community's responsibility to prevent further atrocities.
A significant shift in Sudan's ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, emerged last week as the Sudanese army announced the defection of a senior RSF commander. This marked the first instance of a high-ranking figure switching allegiance since the two sides initiated hostilities over 18 months ago. The army reported that Abuagla Keikal, a former army officer who rose to become the RSF's top commander in the southeastern Al-Jazirah state, has joined their ranks, bringing with him a contingent of troops.