AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 21 May 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo.
Infighting between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leadership and three RSF field commanders resulted in their defection together with their troops to the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
The SAF is using defections to fracture the RSF and rapidly integrate their troops into SAF combat operations. The SAF is pursuing a military victory and showing no interest in peace talks. Bringing defectors into its senior ranks may, however, complicate its command-and-control challenges.
