Darfur's Governor Accuses International Community of Aiding Military Conquest

Strategic Insights -

Minni Arko Minawi, Governor of Darfur and head of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A), has spoken out against the international community's inaction in the face of atrocities committed against the population of El-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militiamen. Minawi, who led the part of the SLM that participated in the 2019 Sudanese peace process and was appointed head of the Darfur regional government in August 2021, accused the international community of helping the RSF militiamen with sophisticated resources, including foreign intelligence, mercenaries from neighboring countries, and drones. The RSF has taken control of all five capitals of Darfur, with a parallel government established in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, and fears of a partition of Sudan or a resumption of the RSF offensive against the rest of the country are growing.

Key Takeaways:

  • Minawi accused the international community of providing material, logistical, and intelligence capabilities to the RSF militiamen, facilitating the conquest of El-Fasher.
  • The RSF has enlisted the support of mercenaries from neighboring countries and overseas, as well as drones from abroad.
  • The capture of El-Fasher marks the fifth capital of Darfur to fall under RSF control, with a parallel government established in Nyala, South Darfur.
  • Fears of a partition of Sudan or a resumption of the RSF offensive against the rest of the country are growing.

Statistics:

  • 18 months: the duration of the siege of El-Fasher by the RSF militia.
  • 5: the number of capitals of Darfur controlled by the RSF.
  • August 2021: the month Minawi was appointed head of the Darfur regional government.
  • 2019: the year Minawi's group participated in the Sudanese peace process.
  • End of March: the month the RSF was driven out of the capital Khartoum.

Sources:

  • Fides, 27/10/2025
  • Fides, 28/10/2025
  • Fides, 18/6/2025
  • Fides, 4/4/2025
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)