Darfur Governor Announces Formation of “Armed Popular Resistance”, Appoints Commander

The Governor of Darfur, Minni Arko Minnawi, issued a decree yesterday (Sunday) forming the Armed Popular Resistance for Darfur, headed by Police Lieutenant General Issa Adam Ismail, with membership including a number of security, military, and civilian leaders, as well as prominent figures from Darfur society.

The Sudan News Agency (SUNA) quoted the governor’s decree as saying it comes in “an exceptional circumstance following the Rapid Support Forces militia’s violations against unarmed civilians in Darfur states, which prompted the regional government to declare a general mobilization and full alert.”

Minnawi directed the relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to implement the decree immediately, including opening training camps and receiving all Darfurians capable of bearing arms, in preparation for a new phase to liberate the region’s cities from the grip of the Rapid Support Forces militia.

The new formation aims at unifying popular and military efforts under one leadership, and to strengthen the region’s defense capabilities in the face of violations and military expansion by the Rapid Support Forces militia. It also seeks to organize training and arming operations within an official framework under the supervision of the regional government.