Saudi Arabia has financed the defection of senior Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanders to bolster General Abdel Fattah al Burhan’s army, according to well-informed sources cited by Africa Intelligence.
The report said commander Ali Rizqallah, known as Al Savanna, defected in May after reportedly receiving between $800,000 and $2.5 million.
It added that Brigadier General Al-Nur Ahmed Adam, known as Al-Nur Qubba, was paid about $2.5 million to relocate his forces and combat vehicles.
According to the report, the initiative is intended to support Burhan’s campaign to weaken the RSF while advancing Saudi political objectives, including reducing Islamist influence within the military and encouraging authorities in Port Sudan to make political concessions.
The report also said Riyadh has reached out to civilian political figures, including members of the Sumud Alliance linked to former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, to discuss their potential role in Sudan’s next political phase.
