The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), led by Gibril Ibrahim, has confirmed that the Juba peace groups reached an agreement on the protection of civilians with the Chief of Staff of the Sudan Liberation Movement Army- Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM-AW).

Following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) announcement of their intention to seize control of the Sudanese army garrison in El Fasher, the Juba peace agreement signatories have strongly condemned any attack on the populated city and aligned with the army to defend the capital of North Darfur.

Also, an SLM-AW contingent led by Youssif Karjakola, the Chief of Staff of the holdout group, arrived in El Fasher on November 24 to protect the displacement camps in the city for fear of being attacked.

In statements to Sudan Tribune, JEM spokesman Hassan Ibrahim Fadl underscored the solidarity among the armed groups and the army in their commitment to protecting civilians.

Fadl disclosed that a series of meetings were held with Karjakola, before and after his forces arrived in the Tawila area and then resumed in El Fasher to address their responsibility towards civilians.

“The Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Abdel Wahid Nur, is a revolutionary movement with which we share the same goals.” It is true that there are differences regarding some means of achieving goals, but we agree on issues that cannot be compromised, especially the protection of civilians,” Fadl stressed.

SLM-AW spokesman Abdel Rahman Al-Nayer two days ago told Sudan Tribune that Karjakola’s presence in El Fasher is not part of a military alliance but rather a humanitarian mission “to alleviate the suffering of civilians”.

The non signatory group refuses to join the war against the RSF saying that would prolong the conflict and harm civilians ultimately.

Local sources report an unprecedented mobilization of armed groups in North Darfur, with combatants converging on El Fasher to counter the RSF’s anticipated attack.

On Monday, the Sixth Infantry Division of the Sudanese Army in El Fasher staged a military parade to demonstrate their readiness for the “battle of dignity” and reassure civilians facing the threat of war. This display of military strength serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions and the potential for further conflict.

On November 23, the RSF’s second commander, Abdel Rahim Dagalo, reiterated their determination to seize El Fasher, despite the united front against them. His unwavering stance highlights the potential for a clash between the RSF and the alliance formed by the rebel groups and the Sudanese army.

El Fasher remains the only city in the Darfur region not under RSF control, as the paramilitary force holds sway over South, Central, East, and West Darfur. The RSF’s control over much of Darfur underscores the complexity of the conflict and the challenges faced by those seeking to protect El Fasher.

The RSF has amassed its fighters east of El Fasher, while the armed movements loyal to the Sudanese army have fortified their positions within the city. As the two sides prepare for a potential showdown, the fate of El Fasher and its residents hangs in the balance.