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.

Police in Mozambique fired teargas and bullets at protesters in Maputo on Monday, following the shooting of two opposition party officials on Saturday on the back of a contentious election.

The director of Mozambique’s Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, Adriano Nuvunga, claimed two journalists and a security officer were shot but not seriously hurt.

This week will see the completion of Mozambique’s national election, which was held on October 9. Preliminary results indicate that Frelimo, the ruling party, is anticipated to win again. The poll, according to opposition candidates, was rigged.

Since taking power in 1975, the country in southern Africa has been ruled by Frelimo, which dismisses accusations of electoral fraud made by civil society, opposition leaders, and election monitors.

The Mozambique Electoral Commission has refrained from commenting on allegations of fraud. Observers stationed in the United States claimed that the poll did not adhere to international norms for democratic elections, citing allegations of voter fraud, intimidation, and other problems.

“The police are turning this into a violent protest because they are firing at us. We are here to demand that the truth about the election is upheld,” said protester Vladimir Manhique, a 32-year-old car mechanic.

“This is a way to demonstrate that enough is enough. This regime must fall,” he said.

A few hundred individuals participated in the demonstration, some of whom threw rocks and set fire to red Frelimo flags in the street.

In the past, particularly last year, Mozambican police have used live bullets during political protests, citing the need to use force to quell unrest.

After the altercations with police, independent presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane declared that Monday’s nationwide strike had been properly followed and instructed the demonstrators to return home.