The armed movements in Darfur refuse to take part in the ongoing conflict. Since the war began in April, they have adopted a position of neutrality, viewing the current struggle as “absurd.” They believe that the regular army has failed to protect the people of Darfur from the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces.
These armed movements, signatories of the Juba peace agreement in 2020, also criticize the army for having delayed in setting up the civil protection force provided for in this agreement. Faced with this situation, Minni Minnaoui, leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement and governor of Darfur, took the initiative to create a joint force in collaboration with the Justice and Equality movement and the Sudan Liberation Movement – the Transitional Council . This force aims to protect Darfur as well as humanitarian and medical aid convoys.
However, not all armed movements in Darfur favor neutrality. The Sudan Liberation Movement-North, Mostapha Tambour faction, participated in the fighting alongside the regular army against the Rapid Support Forces. Another movement, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Northern Sudan, led by Abdelaziz el-Helou, is also engaged in the conflict against the army.
This complex situation highlights divisions within Darfur’s armed movements, with some refusing to remain neutral, while others reject the war as a whole. It will be interesting to follow the evolution of these movements and to see how they will influence the unfolding of the conflict in Darfur.