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 had approved a ruling by a field court convened on 17th May to try Ali Rizqallah in absentia.
The statement said the court ordered his demotion to the rank of soldier and dismissal from service.
It accused Al-Safana of abandoning military positions, assisting and joining what it described as “the enemy”, rebelling against the constitutional order and fleeing military service.
Before his defection, Rizqallah was considered one of the RSF’s most prominent field commanders. He previously led operations to seize areas in North Darfur before taking control of Al-Nuhud and strengthening the RSF’s presence in West Kordofan.
On 16th May, Ali Rizqallah officially announced his joining of the Sudanese armed forces after breaking away from the RSF.
Al-Safana said he would lead military operations alongside the army and allied forces to drive the RSF out of Kordofan, Darfur and the border area of Um Dafuq in the coming period.
