The Sudanese army reports a top RSF commander’s first defection

The first such action by a high-ranking official since the two sides went to war more than 18 months ago, Sudan’s army announced on Sunday that a commander from its adversary, the Rapid Support Forces, had defected with several of his troops.

After he defected, Abuagla Keikal, a former army officer who became the top commander of the RSF in the southeast state of El Gezira, was pictured online by army supporters.

In a later statement, the RSF claimed that Keikal had defected with him following a “deal” and that it had caused losses to the forces that did so in the eastern part of El Gezira state, where Keikal is from.

According to the army, which has recently announced victories against the RSF in some areas of the capital, Keikal made the decision due to the “destructive agenda” of the RSF.

Keikal, a military intelligence officer prior to the conflict, did not immediately respond.

The RSF has taken over a significant portion of Sudan in a fight with the army that the UN claims has resulted in one of the greatest humanitarian disasters in history.

Over 10 million people have been displaced by the conflict, which has also caused 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 hostilities broke out between the army and the RSF, who had been vying for influence before a transition to civilian government that was supported by the international community.

Two years after veteran tyrant Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in a popular revolt, the army and the RSF had previously shared power during a coup in 2021.