Senior RSF Commander Defects from Sudan Paramilitary Group

A senior commander has announced his departure from Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, citing deep-seated grievances over leadership and internal control. Footage obtained by media outlets features Siddiq Ander declaring his exit from the armed faction, pointing to widespread nepotism at the top levels of the organisation.

According to Ander, relatives of the paramilitary leader strictly dictate all financial matters, weaponry allocation, troop movements, and military promotions. He warned that individuals who voice dissenting opinions or attempt to reveal internal realities face severe consequences, including imprisonment, forced expulsion, or sudden death.

Senior RSF commander Siddiq Ander defects, accusing the leadership of operating a family-based project.

This departure follows a series of notable high-profile exits from the paramilitary group over the course of the year. Earlier defections include Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Azraq al-Fanjari leaving alongside numerous soldiers and vehicles, and Al-Tayeb al-Wahidu joining the rival Sudanese Armed Forces in Omdurman. Additional departures involved Brigadier Ali Rizqallah and Major General al-Nour Ahmed Adam, the latter of whom cited disputes concerning military appointments before being welcomed by military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Sudan has faced devastating conflict since April 2023, triggered by a power struggle and disagreements over incorporating the paramilitary force into the regular military. The ongoing fighting has displaced millions of citizens, caused widespread famine, and resulted in heavy casualties, particularly through the recent escalation of drone strikes in populated zones such as South Darfur.

Why it matters

The steady departure of senior commanders highlights growing internal fractures within the Rapid Support Forces amid a protracted national conflict. These defections signal deepening operational instability for the paramilitary group as the broader civil war continues to displace millions and devastate civilian infrastructure across the region.