Leader of Rizeigat downplays defections to Darfur rebels

The top Rizeigat leader denied reports that parts of the Arab tribe have joined the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). Mohammed Issa Aliyu, chairman of the Shura Council of the Rizeigat, told Radio Dabanga that no tribe can be the spearhead of a political movement. He said that the presence of members of the tribe in the regular army is normal. Earlier reports had indicated some Rizeigat in South Darfur had joined the JEM.Aliyu called on the JEM rebels to adopt a conciliatory line with all of the region’s social components to work together towards peace.

The region has witnessed in recent weeks several defections of Arab fighters from government militias and the army. A group of 103 Central Reserve soldiers defected last month, as well as a Beni Halba contingent of 180 army soldiers who joined JEM, while last week another group of about 1500 led by Daifallah Jaburi joined SLA-AW, and a second group of 115 Central Reserve soldiers announced their defection last Thursday. Not all of these fighters are Rizeigat.

The defection in the Central Reserve last week was led by Sergeant Ismail Fadl Al Muwla. He has joined the Sudan Liberation faction led by Abdel Wahed Mohamed Al Nur. Sergeant Ismail and his force had defected on five Land Cruisers and a truck during the Battle Khor Taan, which occurred 4 November when the Justice and Equality Movement ambushed a major commercial convoy in South Darfur.