Darfur Joint Protection Force

Last updated
Darfur Joint Protection Force
Leader Minni Minnawi
Foundation27 April 2023
Dates of operation27 April 2023 (2023-04-27)–present
Country Flag of Sudan.svg Sudan
Active regions Darfur
Allies Sudanese Armed Forces
OpponentsEmblem of the Rapid Support Forces.png Rapid Support Forces
Battles and wars War in Sudan (2023–present)

The Darfur Joint Protection Force, or more simply the Joint Darfur Force/Joint Force, is a formerly defensive force that was set up during the Siege of El Fasher claiming to neutrally protect civilians during the ongoing war in Sudan by peacekeeping. [1] [2] It was formed on 27 April 2023 by four former rebel groups and signatures of the Juba peace agreement. The participating groups are SLM-Minawi, the Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudanese Alliance, and the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces. [3] It is currently led by Darfur Region Governor Minni Minnawi. [1]

Contents

The Joint Force has been criticised for its incompetence in ensuring the safety of civilians across Darfur. According to Major Ahmed Hussein Mustafa, the head of the media committee for the joint force, the force's limited capabilities and logistical support have prevented it from deploying forces across Darfur. [4] The force has also been accused of not showing up on time after residents had been killed [5] or not even showing up at all. [4]

As of 29 August, the Joint Force controls the roads linking North and West Kordofan with Darfur. [6]

History

On 8 May 2023, Minni Minawi ordered the joint force to withdraw from northern Omdurman and relocate to North Darfur after failing to mediate a peace between the army and the Rapid Support Force (RSF). [7] [8]

On 23 May 2023, the RSF ambushed a convoy of the Joint Force in West Darfur, killing four. [9]

On 28 May 2023, Minawi called on people in Darfur to take up arms for self-defence. [10]

On 27 August, military reinforcements belonging to the Joint Force arrived in Nyala to deliver aid to civilians amid clashes between the army and the RSF. [6] The Sudanese Communist Party decried the arrival of the Joint Force, claiming they only showed up after the carnage happened. [5] At the same time Minawi left El Fasher to meet with federal government officials, humanitarian organisations, and political forces in Port Sudan “to discuss with officials and donors the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the region and in Sudan, how humanitarian aid can reach the displaced, and ways to get out of this crisis." [6]

In later September rumours circulated that the RSF would attack a joint force convoy of lorries carrying humanitarian aid to El Fasher from Port Sudan. Allegedly, the convoy contained not only humanitarian aid but also military equipment for the Sixth Infantry Division in El Fasher. The RSF had moved some of its force to the city's entrance, so it was feared that they would attack the convoy. [11]

Split

On 16 November 2023, SLM-Minawi and the Justice and Equality Movement jointly announced that they abandoned their neutrality and entered active involvement in military operations alongside the Sudanese army against the RSF. According to them they only took a position of neutrality at the beginning of the war in order to mediate between the parties, but now they believe the RSF is only seeking to "fragment and divide the country in partnership with foreign militias and mercenaries." [12] [13]

The next day, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council, the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces, and the Sudanese Alliance jointly reaffirmed their commitment to neutrality, stating that they were “taken aback” by the press conference held in the name of the Darfur groups. The groups also stated that they would continue to work together to protect civilians and ensure the fulfilment of the essential needs of the people of Darfur. [14]

This decision marked the end of a unified position among the peace signatories regarding the conflict between the army and the RSF, which was the cornerstone on which the joint force to protect civilians in Darfur was built. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darfur</span> Region of western Sudan

Darfur is a region of western Sudan. Dār is an Arabic word meaning "home [of]" – the region was named Dardaju while ruled by the Daju, who migrated from Meroë c. 350 AD, and it was renamed Dartunjur when the Tunjur ruled the area. Darfur was an independent sultanate for several hundred years until 1874, when it fell to the Sudanese warlord Rabih az-Zubayr. The region was later invaded and incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. As an administrative region, Darfur is divided into five federal states: Central Darfur, East Darfur, North Darfur, South Darfur and West Darfur. Because of the War in Darfur between Sudanese government forces and the indigenous population, the region has been in a state of humanitarian emergency and genocide since 2003. The factors include religious and ethnic rivalry, and the rivalry between farmers and herders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sudan Liberation Movement/Army</span> Darfuri rebel group

The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army is a Sudanese rebel group active in Darfur, Sudan. It was founded as the Darfur Liberation Front by members of three indigenous ethnic groups in Darfur: the Fur, the Zaghawa, and the Masalit, among whom were the leaders Abdul Wahid al-Nur of the Fur and Minni Minnawi of the Zaghawa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minni Minnawi</span> Sudanese politician (born 1968)

Suliman Arcua Minnawi, also known as "Minni Minnawi", is a Sudanese politician and the leader of a faction of the Sudanese Liberation Army. A former educator, Minnawi served as secretary to Sudan Liberation Army leader Abdul Wahid al-Nur before the organisation split in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile</span> 2011–2020 insurgency in southern Sudan

The Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile was an armed conflict in the Sudanese states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N), a northern affiliate of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in South Sudan. After some years of relative calm following the 2005 agreement which ended the second Sudanese civil war between the Sudanese government and SPLM rebels, fighting broke out again in the lead-up to South Sudan independence on 9 July 2011, starting in South Kordofan on 5 June and spreading to the neighboring Blue Nile state in September. SPLM-N, splitting from newly independent SPLM, took up arms against the inclusion of the two southern states in Sudan with no popular consultation and against the lack of democratic elections. The conflict is intertwined with the War in Darfur, since in November 2011 SPLM-N established a loose alliance with Darfuri rebels, called Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sudan Revolutionary Front</span> Alliance of Sudanese rebel groups

The Sudan Revolutionary Front, or the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF), is an alliance between Sudanese factions that was created in opposition to the government of President Omar al-Bashir. It was declared on 12 November 2011, following several months of support by Darfuri rebel groups for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North in the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The Sudanese peace process consists of meetings, written agreements and actions that aim to resolve the War in Darfur, the Sudanese conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and armed conflicts in central, northern and eastern Sudan.

The following lists events during 2023 in the Republic of the Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sudanese civil war (2023–present)</span> Ongoing civil war in Sudan since 2023

A civil war between two major rival factions of the military government of Sudan, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies under the Janjaweed leader Hemedti, began during Ramadan on 15 April 2023. Three minor (neutral) factions have participated in the fighting: Darfur Joint Protection Force, SLM (al-Nur) under Abdul Wahid al-Nur, and SPLM-N under Abdelaziz al-Hilu. Fighting has been concentrated around the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region. As of 14 November 2024, at least 61,000 people had been killed in Khartoum State alone, of which 26,000 were a direct result of the violence. As of 5 July 2024, over 7.7 million were internally displaced and more than 2.1 million others had fled the country as refugees, and many civilians in Darfur have been reported dead as part of the Masalit massacres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Geneina</span> Major battles and massacres of the Darfur campaign of the Sudanese civil war

The Geneina massacre, also the Battle of Geneina, was a series of major battles for control of Geneina, the capital of West Darfur in Sudan, between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias against Masalit self-defense militias and the Sudanese Alliance. The battles primarily lasted between April 24 and June 14, 2023, with major attacks and massacres by the RSF and allied militias on Masalit civilians in the city. After the killing of West Darfur governor Khamis Abakar on June 14, thousands of Masalit civilians were slaughtered in the city between June 14 and June 22 by the RSF and allied militias.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darfur campaign</span> Ongoing military offensive in Sudan

The Darfur campaign or Darfur offensive is a theatre of operation in the war in Sudan that affects five states in Darfur: South Darfur, East Darfur, North Darfur, Central Darfur and West Darfur. The offensive mainly started on 15 April 2023 in West Darfur where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) forces captured Geneina, the conflict came after several days of high tensions between the forces and the government.

The following is a timeline of the Sudanese civil war (2023–present) in 2023.

The Battle of Nyala was a battle for control of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur in Sudan, between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the Sudanese Armed Forces during the ongoing Darfur campaign. The first battle occurred between 15 and 20 April 2023, during which hundreds were reported dead. A civilian-brokered ceasefire paused the fighting by April 20. Sporadic clashes broke out between May and July. In August 2023, the RSF launched an offensive on the city. The SAF launched air campaigns against the RSF in Nyala, with many civilian casualties in Taiba and El Matar. In late September, the RSF besieged the headquarters the SAF's 16th Infantry Division headquarters, capturing it on October 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of El Fasher</span> 2024 military engagement during the third Sudanese civil war

The siege of El Fasher is an ongoing battle for control of the town of El Fasher in North Darfur during the Sudan conflict. The first battle for the city took place between 15 and 20 April 2023, and resulted in a ceasefire that held until 12 May. Clashes broke out again between 12 and 29 May, and ended with a more stable ceasefire that lasted until August. By September, the city had become a haven for refugees across the region, without enough food and water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treaty of Jeddah (2023)</span> 2023 two-week long treaty for peace in Sudan

The Treaty of Jeddah or Jeddah Declaration is an international agreement that was made to make peace in Sudan. The Treaty of Jeddah, which was signed by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan and representatives of both warring sides on 20 May 2023, entered into force 48 hours later on 22 May 2023. The agreement was intended to facilitate a week-long ceasefire and the distribution of humanitarian aid within the country. The agreement expired suddenly after a surge of clashes on 23 May 2023, a day after the agreement came into effect. With the actual date of expiry being 27 May 2023, the nations agreed on an extension for five days but was shortened due to the agreement's ineffectiveness.

The Battle of Kutum was a conflict during the War in Sudan which occurred in and around the town of Kutum in North Darfur. The Rapid Support Forces quickly overran the city, and carried out massacres in the city and the neighboring Kassab IDP camp. The group then attacked neighboring villages in early June.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khamis Abakar</span> Former Governor of West Darfur killed by the RSF (1964-2023)

Khamis Abdullah Abakar also known as Abdallah Abakar was a Sudanese politician, activist and former army commander who served as the Governor of West Darfur from 2021 until his assassination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War crimes during the Sudanese civil war (2023–present)</span>

The civil war in Sudan, which started on 15 April 2023, has seen widespread war crimes committed by both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the RSF being singled out by the Human Rights Watch, and the United Kingdom and United States governments for committing ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

The following lists events during 2024 in the Republic of the Sudan.

Deribat is a town located in South Darfur, Sudan, east of Jebel Marra.

The following is a timeline of the Sudanese civil war (2023–present) in 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 Lisa (2023-09-29). "Reports about RSF expanding combat scope in Darfur". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  2. ↑ Camille (2023-05-23). "Heavy gunfire in North Darfur capital". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  3. ↑ SudanTribune (2023-09-10). "Minnawi warns against plans to attack Darfur joint force". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  4. 1 2 SudanTribune (2023-08-20). "Challenges mount for Darfur Joint Force after failure to protect civilians". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  5. 1 2 Lisa (2023-08-30). "Sudan war: Outcry over South Darfur Nyala 'massacre'". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  6. 1 2 3 Sarah (2023-08-29). "Rebel forces arrive in South Darfur to protect people trapped in Nyala". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  7. ↑ Kazemi, Elham; Serwat, Ladd (2023-04-28). "Fact Sheet: Conflict Surges in Sudan". ACLED. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  8. ↑ SudanTribune (2023-05-09). "Minnawi withdraws troops from Khartoum to North Darfur". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  9. ↑ SudanTribune (2023-05-24). "Rapid Support Forces ambush peace groups in West Darfur". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  10. ↑ Nashed, Mat. "Sudan war: What does Minnawi's call to arms mean for Darfur?". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  11. ↑ "Sudan: Reports About RSF Expanding Combat Scope in Darfur". Dabanga. 2023-09-29. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  12. ↑ SudanTribune (2023-11-16). "Key Darfur groups join Sudanese army in its war against RSF paramilitary forces". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  13. ↑ Bergman, Andrew (2023-11-17). "Darfur armed movements renounce neutrality in Sudan war". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  14. 1 2 SudanTribune (2023-11-18). "Three Darfur groups uphold neutrality in Sudan conflict". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.