A meeting between a senior Dar Hamar tribal representative and former Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Ali Rizgallah, widely known as “Safna,” has sparked controversy in West Kordofan, exposing divisions over the former military leader’s role in the capture of El Nuhud.
Gharib Jad Karim, a traditional leader responsible for nomadic affairs in El Nuhud locality, attended a gathering of tribal and community leaders from Kordofan and Darfur on Saturday, where Safna was also present, local Sudanese media reported on Monday.
During the gathering, Karim publicly expressed support for Safna and urged fighters to rally behind a younger commander operating under his leadership.
The endorsement provoked anger among members of the Dar Hamar community, where Safna remains a controversial figure because of his previous involvement in RSF military operations that led to the capture of El Nuhud in May 2025.
In a statement responding to the controversy, Munim Abdel Qader Mansour, the paramount chief of the Dar Hamar tribes, distanced the traditional leadership from Karim’s participation.
Mansour said the appearance was a personal decision that did not represent the official position of the Dar Hamar leadership.
He also pointed to Karim’s previously declared affiliation with the Northern Shield Forces, where he held the rank of lieutenant colonel, suggesting that his participation reflected an individual military association rather than a collective tribal decision.
The tribal chief said Dar Hamar’s leadership remained committed to restoring social cohesion, pursuing reconciliation and supporting the Sudanese army and its allied forces in efforts to regain control of the region.
However, he stressed that reconciliation must not come at the expense of accountability or the rights of residents affected by the fighting.
He urged community members to avoid further divisions and described the controversial meeting as a temporary episode that would not alter the tribe’s official position.
Safna’s disputed military legacy
Safna commanded RSF forces involved in the capture of El Nuhud in May 2025, an offensive followed by widespread allegations of looting and the seizure of civilian property.
He announced his departure from the RSF on May 11, 2026, initially insisting that he was not joining another armed faction. He subsequently travelled to Khartoum and appeared at a military-organised press conference.
His departure also exposed divisions within his former military formation.
Commanders and fighters belonging to Group 296, previously associated with Safna, publicly rejected his defection and reaffirmed their allegiance to the RSF and the TASIS government.
Among those opposing his decision was his own brother, Mohammed Rizgallah, who maintained that the commander’s departure did not represent the wider military group.
The dispute surrounding Safna has also been complicated by allegations concerning his role in events following the fall of El Nuhud.
An August investigation by local Sudanese media documented criminal complaints filed by residents and traders accusing Safna and other RSF personnel of involvement in the looting of agricultural produce, gum arabic, vehicles and private property.
