Abu Aqla Kaikal
Abu Aqla Kaikal | |
|---|---|
أبو عاقلة كيكل | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1971 or 1972 (age 53–54)[1] |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Rapid Support Forces (until October 2024) Sudanese Armed Forces (from October 2024) |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | RSF in Gezira State and Sennar State (until October 2024) SAF in Gezira and Khartoum State (from October 2024) |
| Battles/wars | |
Abu Aqla Kaikal (Arabic: أبو عاقلة كيكل, romanized: Abū ʻĀqilah kykl, born c. 1971-1972)[1] also spelled Abu Agla Keikel, is a Sudanese military officer and former commander in the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).[2][3]
Early life
Kaikal originates from Butana in Central Sudan. He is a retired officer from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and founded the Sudan Shield Forces in 2022. Keikel became an activist and a key member of the executive office for the "Free Butana Forum," which focuses on Butana region affairs.[4][5]
Sudanese civil war
After the Sudanese civil war started Kaikal first sided with the SAF but in August of 2023, he declared his support for the RSF.[6][4] In October 2024, he defected back to the SAF,[5] which triggered a series of violent retaliatory attacks by the RSF on civilians in the Gezira State.[7] These attacks have resulted in numerous casualties and widespread displacement.[7]
In February 2025, the Human Rights Watch reported that Sudan Shield Forces, led by Abu Aqla Kaikal, targeted civilians in Tayba, Gezira state, killing at least 26 people. The HRW verified the attack using satellite imagery and videos, labeling it as a potential war crime. SAF condemned the incident as an "individual transgression", but has since not launched a full investigation.[8]
Sanctions
On 18 July 2025, Kaikal was sanctioned by the European Union, which determined that he is "responsible for actions and policies that threaten the peace, stability and security of Sudan. In addition, he is responsible for directing acts in Sudan that constitute serious human rights violations, and for obstructing the delivery of, access to and distribution of humanitarian assistance in Sudan."[9][10] On 5 February 2026, Kaikal was also sanctioned by the United Kingdom over his role in the current conflict.[11]
References
- ^ a b عاين, شبكة (2024-10-21). "أبو عاقلة كيكل.. من هو ومن أين أتى؟". Ayin network - شبكة عاين (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ MAGDY, SAMY. "Rights group calls for international force to protect Sudanese amid a rampage by paramilitaries". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Sudanese army officer implicated in fall of Wad Madani to RSF". Sudan Tribune. 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ a b النور, النور أحمد. "ماذا يعني انضمام قائد الدعم السريع بالجزيرة للجيش السوداني؟.. الإجابة في 8 نقاط". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ a b "أبوعاقلة كيكل: من هو القائد كيكل الذي انشق عن قوات "الدعم السريع" وانضم للجيش السوداني؟". BBC News عربي (in Arabic). 2024-10-23. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Sudan: Armed Group Allied to the Military Attacks Village | Human Rights Watch". hrw.org. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Rights body faults RSF for targeting civilians in Sudan's Al Gezira State". Radio Tamazuj. 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Sudan army allies intentionally targeting civilians: HRW". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ^ "COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/1481 of 18 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 concerning restrictive measures in view of activities undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan". Official Journal of the European Union. 18 July 2025. Archived from the original on 25 January 2026.
- ^ "EU targets Sudanese commanders and companies for human rights Violations". Sudan Tribune. 18 July 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "UK hits 'Sudan's war machine' with new sanctions". Radio Dabanga. 2026-02-05. Retrieved 2026-02-06.