Sudan's Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Yassir al-Atta, has expressed regret over the alleged recruitment of tens of thousands of South Sudanese nationals by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to fight in Sudan's war. Speaking to troops in Khartoum on Sunday, November 1, 2026, al-Atta described South Sudan as a "sisterly country" but accused the RSF of recruiting thousands of its nationals as mercenaries.
Al-Atta accused the RSF of recruiting fighters from various countries, including Chad, Libya, Niger, Ethiopia, Somalia, other West African countries, and Colombia. He also alleged that the United Arab Emirates and Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, are supporting the RSF. The conflict in Sudan is being portrayed as a campaign against foreign-backed efforts to undermine the country.
The relationship between Sudan and South Sudan is significant, with the two countries sharing a long border and maintaining close economic ties. South Sudan relies heavily on Sudanese infrastructure to transport its oil exports to international markets. This close relationship makes the alleged recruitment of South Sudanese nationals by the RSF a sensitive issue.
A UN Panel of Experts on South Sudan reported in April 2024 that South Sudanese nationals had fought on both sides of Sudan's conflict. Some had joined independently, while others appeared to have been forcibly recruited. However, the report did not establish that they were acting on behalf of the South Sudanese government.
Former South Sudanese Interior Minister Angelina Teny acknowledged in November 2023 that South Sudanese nationals were participating in the conflict. Al-Atta's remarks suggest that the Sudanese government is seeking to distance itself from any perceived ethnic targeting in Darfur and Kordofan.
Al-Atta named several tribes, including the Hawazma, Misseriya, Rizeigat, Habbaniya, Beni Halba, and Salamat, saying they are not targets of the military campaign. He emphasized that the army is seeking to protect civilians in Darfur and Kordofan rather than punish entire communities for the actions of the RSF.
The RSF and the South Sudanese government had yet to comment on al-Atta's remarks. Sudan's war erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. The conflict has divided control of the country.
Key points
- The Sudanese army is fighting a war that it claims does not target specific tribes or communities.
- The RSF has allegedly recruited tens of thousands of mercenaries from South Sudan and other countries to fight in Sudan's war.
- The conflict in Sudan has resulted in a divided country, with the army controlling most of the north, east, and central regions, and the RSF controlling much of Darfur and parts of Kordofan.
