A convoy of the Joint Force of former Darfur rebel groups, which includes the Sudan Liberation Movement (Minawi faction) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), among others, arrived Sunday in the city of Nyala where fighting has raged for two weeks between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), according to Darfur Regional Governor Minni Minawi.
Local media reported the situation has calmed somewhat in the South Darfur capital following efforts by the Joint Force to broker a local truce between RSF and SAF.
The Joint Force under the command of Minawi has announced its neutrality in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. They control large parts of the North Darfur capital Al Fasher, where they have imposed a local truce between SAF and RSF. This contrasts with the situation in the other state capitals of greater Darfur, namely, Al Jeneina, Zalinji, and Nyala, where the army and RSF have battled fiercely.
RSF control most of Darfur but army garrisons still hold out at bases in these capitals. In Nyala, the 16th Division headquarters is in the middle of the city near the central market, government buildings, and residential areas. Many civilians were killed or injured in back-and-forth shelling by both sides.
In a related development, Minawi has left Al Fasher on his way to Port Sudan, accompanied by the SLA Commander-in-Chief, Jumaa Mohamad Hagar. In photos circulated today by the former Darfur rebels, the regional governor appeared in battle fatigues. This contrasts with other recent appearances in which he appeared in civilian dress.
Minawi was appointed Greater Darfur Regional Governor accordance with the Juba Peace Agreement of 2020. The Joint Force that he leads has been providing security for humanitarian and commercial convoys between Port Sudan and Darfur. Today elements of the Joint Force under Major Mohamed Tuba arrived in Al Obeid, escorting a commercial convoy coming from Kosti.
The convoy is seen in the video above. Below, the commander of the convoy appeared in Al Obeid, alongside Ahmed Omar, the director of trade in North Kordofan:
In Port Sudan, Minawi and his delegation are expected to meet with humanitarian organizations as well as federal officials, according to a press statement.
Minawi’s visit coincides with the arrival in that city of Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, president of the Sovereignty Council, who left Khartoum last week for the first time since April.