OVERVIEW
- The RSF is an armed group that was founded in 2013, created from the Janjaweed groups that supported the Sudanese government during the Darfur war. Allied with the State’s army until 2023, they finally became adversaries because of political disagreements over the integration of the RSF into the regular armed forces.
- The armed group controls most of Darfur. It is accused of ethnic cleansing and mass killings of civilians, particularly against the Fur, Zaghawa, Masalit and Barti communities.
- The RSF is suspected to generate large incomes through gold exports to the UAE. It is also known for pillaging villages it attacks, impose taxes on trade routes and extort businesses in its area of control.
- Investigations suggest that the RSF receives military and logistical aid from the UAE, Libya, and Chad. It would include weapons smuggling and mercenary support, notably from Colombian operatives, despite the denial of these States.
- The RSF is led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, aka “Hemedti”. He is backed by several of his brothers and other individuals, all accused of carrying out serious violations of international law.
Read the full context note here : Presentation of the armed group Rapid Support Forces (RSF)_2023-to-2025_ENG_Public.pdf
