Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has stripped defected brigadier Ali Rizqallah, known as Al-Safana, of his military rank, referred him to retirement, and declared him an outlaw after accusing him of desertion and rebellion. He also approved a death sentence in absentia against the former commander following his recent defection from the paramilitary force and decision to join the Sudanese army.
Al-Safana, regarded as one of the RSF’s senior field commanders, announced his formal split from the group on May 11, publicly criticising the organisation’s leadership. Days later, on May 15, he arrived in Khartoum, where he declared his intention to fight alongside the Sudanese Armed Forces in Kordofan before advancing towards Darfur.
RSF chief Omar Hamdan’s directive stated that Hemedti had approved the verdict of a field court convened on May 17 to try Rizqallah in absentia. The court ordered his demotion to the rank of soldier and his dismissal from service. The RSF accused him of abandoning military positions, collaborating with and joining what it described as “the enemy”, rebelling against the constitutional order, and fleeing military service.
On May 16, Rizqallah announced that he had joined the Sudanese Armed Forces, pledging to lead military operations with the army and allied forces to expel the RSF from Kordofan, Darfur, and the border region of Um Dafuq in the coming months.