RSF take control of South Darfur’s Nyala, vow to protect civilians

KHARTOUM, Sudan

Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared the capture of the 16th Infantry Division’s headquarters in Nyala, South Darfur State, following intense fighting lasting three days against the Sudanese army under the leadership of Second Commander Abdel Rahim Daglo.

Since the beginning of October, the RSF has deployed heavily in Nyala, mobilizing thousands of tribal fighters from Central, West, and East Darfur to support them in overthrowing the army leadership in South Darfur.

The seizure of Nyala on Thursday coincided with the resumption of peace talks in Jeddah between the Sudanese army and the RSF.

A statement issued by the RSF spokesman said that their forces had inflicted heavy losses on the army, with more than 2,000 killed and numerous military vehicles destroyed. The statement also said that the RSF had seized all military equipment at the base.

The seizure of the army headquarters in Nyala means that the RSF now controls the second most populous state in Sudan after Khartoum, with a population of over 3.4 million people. The RSF also controls some states in Kordofan and Darfur.

The command of the 16th Infantry Division is considered the headquarters of the Western Region Command of the Sudanese Army in the Darfur region. The division includes several battalions, including artillery, engineers, and armoured personnel. South Darfur State is important for its strategic location and proximity to South Sudan and Central Africa.

The Sudanese army has not commented on the fall of the 16th Division.

The RSF has broadcast several video clips showing Second Commander Abdel Rahim Daglo and a large number of RSF soldiers walking around locations within the 16th Infantry Division.

In a speech delivered at the army headquarters in Nyala, Abdel Rahim Daglo, urged the inhabitants of the city to return to their homes. He also directed the police and prosecutors to ensure the preservation of security, safeguard civilian assets, offer essential services, and facilitate the reopening of markets and hospitals..

“I direct the Director of the Nyala Police Department, Major General Bashir Adam Issa, to carry out his duties and for the police to exercise all its powers to protect citizens,” Daglo said. “I also call on the prosecutors to return to their positions. I call on the leaders of the native administration and civil society, women and men, to assume their historical responsibility for managing their city. We, the RSF, will strive to provide security for citizens.”

Daglo also called on the armed movements in Darfur to form a joint force with the RSF to secure all states. He urged civilians to report any crime committed against them.

He directed that RSF elements not be deployed outside the locations of the paramilitary forces in the city. He warned that anyone carrying a weapon outside the locations he specified would be dealt with as an enemy. He also ordered the arrest of “remnants of the regime,” their handover to justice, and the freedom of movement of citizens.

In addition, a field commander of the RSF told Sudan Tribune that Daglo initiated negotiations early this month with a large number of officers and soldiers in order to stop the fighting within the ranks of the army in South Darfur state.

“His efforts culminated in convincing a large number of soldiers to join his forces, the last of whom was a group that sided with the RSF yesterday, Wednesday,” the commander said.

It was revealed that SRF deputy commander contacted local leaders from the Misseriya tribe to persuade the commander of the 16th Infantry Division and one of its sons, Major General Hussein Mohamed Jawdat, to hand over command, but to no avail.

“What happened today is a natural result of the intransigence of the army commander in Nyala and his rejection of the option of extradition,” the commander said.