Sudan: Hemedti strips defected RSF commander of rank, sentences him to death in absentia

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has stripped defected brigadier Ali Rizqallah, known as Al-Safana, of his military rank, referred him to retirement and declared him an outlaw. Hemedti also issued a death sentence in absentia against Al-Safana after accusing him of desertion and rebellion against the constitutional order. On 11th May, Al-Safana, considered one of the RSF’s senior commanders, announced his formal defection from the force and sharply criticised its leadership. On 15th May, the defected commander arrived in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, declaring his intention to fight alongside the army in Kordofan before advancing towards Darfur. A directive issued by RSF administration chief Omar Hamdan to all force departments and sectors said the RSF commander […]