Minni Minawi, the Governor of the Darfur region and the head of the Sudan Liberation Army-Minni Minawi (SLA-MM) advised the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to avoid attacking the cities of Al-Fashir (in North Darfur) and El Geneina (in West Darfur) due to the high number of displaced individuals residing in those cities.
Minawi said in a tweet on his official page on X that they are in contact with all parties to prevent the war in Al-Fashir. He pointed out the “congestion caused by the large displacement” from areas like Nyala, Kutum, Tawila, Kabkabiya, and other cities, including El Geneina in West Darfur.
He justified his plea to the RSF to avoid the attack on Al-Fashir by stating that Al-Fashir is “the only artery to supply all of Darfur.” Additionally, he mentioned that it supplies the existing displacement camps before the new wave of displacement resulting from the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF since April.
Minawi emphasized in his tweet addressed to the RSF leaders, “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 Governor of Darfur said that there are displaced people in every inch of these two cities. “As long as negotiations are ongoing in Jeddah, you should focus on negotiating.” He added.
Last week, the RSF announced their control over Nyala in South Darfur, following the withdrawal of the army’s 16th Infantry Division from the Division’s headquarters in Nyala. They also declared their control over the headquarters of the 21st Division in Zalingei, Central Darfur.