Sudan RSF sees senior political defection amid ongoing conflict

Fares al-Nur, a prominent political figure within Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its backing political bloc, has resigned from all his posts. Al-Nur cited the deepening political deadlock, the ongoing war, and the immense humanitarian suffering as reasons for his departure. He expressed hope that his resignation would create space for a broad Sudanese dialogue to resolve the crisis.

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I acted because of what I described as a deepening political deadlock, the continuation of the war and the vast humanitarian suffering it has caused.

Al-Nur's decision carries significant political weight, distinguishing it from previous defections. Unlike battlefield commanders, he was a key political strategist for the RSF's project. He served on the Tasis presidential council and was appointed "governor of Khartoum Region" in the alliance's parallel government. Previously, he was a long-time advisor to RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and a member of the RSF's negotiating team in Jeddah.

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My resignation was intended to open space for a broad Sudanese dialogue that brings together different parties, away from political and military polarization, and helps reach a settlement to end the crisis.

This resignation differs from earlier splits within the RSF, which primarily involved field commanders or fighters. Recent defections include Bashara al-Huweira, responsible for military operations in North Kordofan; Al-Nour Adam, who joined the Sudanese army; Abu Aqla Keikal, a commander in central Sudan; and Ali Rizq Allah, known as Al-Savannah. The increasing pace of these departures has fueled speculation about growing pressure on the RSF, as Sudan's war enters its fourth year without a decisive military victory for either side.

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The importance of the step lies not only in al-Nur’s position inside the alliance, but also in its nature. He is not a battlefield commander with troops on the ground. He is instead viewed as one of the most prominent political figures associated with the project that the RSF sought to build alongside its military campaign.