Ad-Damar, October 10 (Darfur24)
Local sources in the River Nile State have warned of an escalating “recruitment race” among armed formations supporting the Sudanese army, particularly between the Joint Forces and the Sudan Shield Forces.
Ismail Juma Hamad, head of the Nuba General Council, told Darfur24 that the Joint Forces, Sudan Shield, and other groups are actively recruiting young men, warning of serious social and security consequences.
He said many young men are joining these groups due to economic hardship.
“Despite our appeals for them to enlist in the regular forces instead, our advice falls on deaf ears,” Juma said.
He added that these armed formations impose no recruitment conditions, allowing habitual criminals to join their ranks.
Some areas along the Nile River have recently witnessed clashes between civilians and army-aligned formations. River Nile State is also one of Sudan’s most important gold mining regions and the country’s largest producer.
A local source told Darfur24 that the Sudan Shield Forces target university graduates from specific ethnic groups and grant them military ranks, similar to tactics used by the Joint Forces.
The source, who requested anonymity, said the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Arko Minawi is also actively recruiting and noted that these groups are taking advantage of the deteriorating economy and high unemployment, which has increased young people’s willingness to enlist.
Recently, Ad-Damar has witnessed a security breakdown, with nighttime robberies spreading across most neighborhoods. In response, residents have begun organizing neighborhood patrols of young men to protect them.