Investigation identifies Sudan commanders linked to wartime sexual violence in Darfur and beyond

What happened

Al Jazeera Sudan reports on a detailed investigation by the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) identifying 25 commanders from both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces at five sites connected to reported sexual violence during Sudan’s ongoing war. CIR’s evidence is compiled from open-source verification, United Nations documentation, rights groups, and survivor testimonies.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. One key figure identified by CIR is RSF major Khademallah Khashmin Herika, also known as Shiraz Khalid, who was recorded in a video seemingly encouraging fighters to commit sexual violence in Northern State. While the precise filming location of the video is unconfirmed, Herika is linked to multiple sites where survivors reported detentions and rape, including el-Fasher and Garni in North Darfur.

The investigation also highlights Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, deputy commander of the RSF and brother of its leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, verified at multiple sites in el-Fasher during reported waves of mass and gang rape documented by the UN. Drone footage linked to him orders pursuit of fleeing vehicles near a site associated with civilian detention and executions, though CIR does not claim direct responsibility for sexual violence.

Known from the source

• The Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) identified 25 commanders linked to locations of reported sexual violence in Sudan’s war.
• A video from October 26, 2025, showed RSF major Khademallah Khashmin Herika encouraging sexual violence in Northern State.
• UN fact-finding missions documented mass and gang rapes during the RSF takeover of el-Fasher, including at the Saudi Hospital and el-Fasher University.
• Deputy RSF commander Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo was present at several locations during alleged rapes and related violence in el-Fasher.
• Abuaqla Mohamed Ahmed Alwakil (Kaykal) was verified as a commander on both RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces sides and linked to forces accused of abductions and rapes in Wad Madani and Tayba camp.

What remains unclear

CIR verified the presence of the RSF commander Abuaqla Mohamed Ahmed Alwakil, known as Kaykal, on both sides of the conflict. After defecting from the RSF to Sudanese Armed Forces, he was linked to forces accused by Human Rights Watch and the UN of abducting and raping civilians in Wad Madani and Tayba camp. Other commanders such as RSF sector commander Gedo Hamdan Ahmed appear in connection to multiple offensives but without direct attribution to specific assaults.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Ensure precise locations and dates of the reported sexual violence incidents are accurately matched with commanders’ presence. Verify video footage locations and dates, especially for material implicating commanders such as Khademallah Khashmin Herika. Confirm details of the abductions and rape allegations linked to forces under Kaykal, including corroboration beyond initial reports.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Sudan. Open the source.