Sudan’s army announced on Sunday that a Rapid Support Forces commander had defected with some of his troops, the first senior person to do so since the war began more than 18 months ago.
Army supporters uploaded pictures of Abuagla Keikal online, claiming to be of the former army officer who defected and became the top commander of the RSF in the southeast state of El Gezira.
Later, the RSF released a statement in which it claimed that Keikal had changed sides following a “deal” and that the soldiers who defected with him in the eastern state of El Gezira had suffered losses.
The army, which has recently reported gains against the RSF in parts of the capital, said Keikal had decided to make the move because of the RSF’s “destructive agenda”.
Keikal, a military intelligence official before the war, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The RSF has taken over large swathes of Sudan in a fight with the army that the UN believes has resulted in one of the greatest humanitarian disasters in history.
Over ten million people have been displaced by the war, which has also caused severe starvation in some areas of the nation and attracted international powers who have provided material support to both sides.
It started in April 2023 when rivalries between the army and the RSF, vying for influence before a transition to civilian rule supported by the international community, became apparent.
After pulling off a coup in 2021, two years after veteran tyrant Omar al-Bashir was overthrown by a popular revolt, the army and the RSF had previously shared power.