Al-Hadi Idris reiterates neutrality and unity of Darfur joint forces

El Fasher, January 8, 2024 – Al-Hadi Idris, head of the Sudan Liberation Movement – Transitional Council, (SLM-TC) reaffirmed the neutrality of the movements that signed the Juba Peace Agreement and stated that he is visiting the joint forces in El Fasher to confirm their unity and commitment to non-participation in the ongoing fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Al-Hadi Idris and Al-Taher Hajar, leader of the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF), arrived in North Darfur state on Sunday to inspect the joint forces and assess the situation of civilians displaced by the conflict in Darfur.

Al-Hadi Idris told Sudan Tribune that their visit was part of their routine to visit areas controlled by their forces. “We haven’t seen them for a long time since the war broke out. We came to check on their conditions and explain the latest political developments in the country,” he said.

In addition to meeting with the joint force, they also visited civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.

The capital of North Darfur, El Fasher, is experiencing heightened security tensions as the RSF and armed movements allied with the army continue to mobilize their supporters in preparation for a potential battle.

Idris categorically denied that the joint force has sided with the Sudanese army, despite the statement issued by some of its leaders in Port Sudan. He emphasized that the joint force has not engaged in any clashes or fighting alongside the army or any other party to the conflict.

On November 16, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-Minawi) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) announced their departure from neutrality regarding the ongoing war between the army and the RSF. They declared their participation in military operations to protect civilians.

In response, Sudan’s Sovereign Council, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, removed Idris and Hajar from the Council because they refused to side with the army. On January 1, Abdel Rahman Nimr, a leading member of the SLM-TC, was also dismissed as governor of North Kordofan.

Idris accused remnants of the former regime of spreading rumours and promoting false information to sow discord among the armed movements and undermine their unity.

“Our visit to El Fasher is to dispel all these rumours and reaffirm the unity of the armed struggle movements,” he said. “Darfur and all of Sudan are counting on this force as a neutral third party to help stabilize the security situation and protect humanitarian convoys.”

Idris stressed that their visit is aimed at strengthening the joint force, not dismantling it. “We have no interest in doing the opposite. We will work to strengthen unity among the armed struggle movements and present a different narrative. We want to deprive the remnants of the regime and those who want to drag the movements into the conflict of any opportunity,” he added.

The joint force, comprising the SLM-Minawi, JEM, GSLF, Sudanese Alliance, SLM-TC, is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict in Darfur. It also safeguards commercial convoys to El Fasher. However, since Minawi and Jibril sided with the army, commercial and humanitarian convoys have been disrupted, exacerbating the plight of the population.

Idris denied that they are planning to form a government led by Darfur, stating that Sudan is facing a multitude of problems and that the Darfur issue cannot be isolated from the broader Sudanese crisis.

“Darfur is part of Sudan. Any talk about forming a government is premature. The priority now is to stop the war and achieve a comprehensive peace. After that, a government will be formed for all of Sudan, not Darfur,” he said.

He explained that their priority in coordination with the civil democratic forces “Tagadum” is to halt the fighting and then engage in political arrangements to form a national government.

The RSF controls four out of five states in Darfur, namely South, West, East, and Central Darfur, while the army maintains its main command in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

(ST)