Minni Minawi, the Governor of the Darfur region and the leader of the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi (SLA-MM), has counselled the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to refrain from launching attacks on the cities of Al-Fashir (in North Darfur) and El Geneina (in West Darfur) due to the significant number of displaced residents living in these areas.
Minawi tweeted from his official page on X, stating that they are actively engaging with all parties to avert conflict in Al-Fashir. He highlighted the “congestion caused by the large displacement” from areas such as Nyala, Kutum, Tawila, Kabkabiya, and several other cities, including El Geneina in West Darfur.
He supported his appeal to the RSF, explaining that Al-Fashir serves as “the only artery to supply all of Darfur.” Furthermore, he noted that it caters to the pre-existing displacement camps, even before the recent surge in displacement due to the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF since April.
In his tweet directed at the RSF leaders, Minawi underscored, “I offer you valuable advice, with our complete assurance that Al-Fashir is no better than the rest of Sudan’s cities, especially the cities of Darfur that have suffered. You must avoid attacking Al-Fashir and El Geneina.”
The Darfur Governor mentioned that there are displaced individuals throughout every corner of these two cities. He advised, “As long as negotiations are ongoing in Jeddah, you should focus on negotiating.”
In the previous week, the RSF declared their authority over Nyala in South Darfur, subsequent to the withdrawal of the 16th Infantry Division of the army from its Nyala headquarters. They also proclaimed their command over the headquarters of the 21st Division in Zalingei, Central Darfur.
