Lieutenant General Yasir Al-Atta of the Sudanese Armed Forces stated that South Sudan has been warned about the involvement of its nationals with the Rapid Support Forces. He claimed these fighters make up 65% of the RSF’s personnel. His remarks follow an increase in violence against Sudanese refugees and residents in South Sudan, alongside the mention of various foreign combatants in the RSF ranks. Al-Atta urged greater action from South Sudan’s government.
On January 19, 2025, Lieutenant General Yasir Al-Atta, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), stated that the SAF has been informing South Sudan about the presence of South Sudanese nationals fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the past two years. He claimed that these mercenaries make up approximately 65% of the RSF’s forces while speaking to soldiers at the army’s Fourth Division headquarters in Ed Damazin.
General Al-Atta highlighted that communication with South Sudanese officials regarding the participation of opposition figures in the RSF has been ongoing, citing an individual named Stephen Buoy. He expressed disappointment over Juba’s inadequate response to these warnings.
His remarks came in the wake of rising violence against Sudanese refugees and residents within South Sudan following incidents involving the killing of South Sudanese nationals in Wad Madani, Sudan. These attacks were part of a broader crackdown to eliminate suspected RSF collaborators after the military seized control of that city.
The General further mentioned the presence of foreign fighters in the RSF, identifying individuals hailing from Libya, Chad, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Colombia, and Syria, including elements associated with the Wagner Group. He noted that the traditional “Janjaweed leaders” represent only about 5% of the RSF forces.
While expressing his trust in President Salva Kiir, Al-Atta urged South Sudanese media and security bodies to take action against South Sudanese fighters contributing to the RSF. He assured that under the leadership of General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and General Shams El Din Kabashi, the Sudanese military remains committed to taking legal steps against these mercenaries.
Al-Atta condemned the RSF for reported atrocities, such as acts of violence against women and the burying of individuals alive, and cautioned against magnifying individual events while recognizing the ongoing suffering of civilians. He conveyed faith in the resilience of the Sudanese population to prevail over the crises, despite the supposed foreign backing for the RSF, making a veiled reference to the United Arab Emirates.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to a significant increase in violence, with various factions involved. The RSF, formed from former Janjaweed militias, has been implicated in numerous human rights violations. South Sudan has been a point of concern, particularly regarding the involvement of its nationals in the RSF, as well as its role in lingering tensions stemming from the civil war in Sudan. This has implications not only for regional stability but also for humanitarian conditions in South Sudan, where violence against civilians has escalated.
In conclusion, General Yasir Al-Atta’s statements underscore the complexities of the conflict involving the RSF, the mercenaries from various nations, and their impact on regional stability. His call for South Sudanese authorities to acknowledge the risks posed by their nationals fighting in the RSF reflects ongoing tensions between both nations and the dire need for a coordinated response to the violence affecting civilians.
Original Source: sudantribune.com
