Updated by FFRNews on November 4, 2025
The Abu Lulu RSF arrest has sparked outrage and skepticism across Sudan and beyond, as rights groups dismiss the move as a public relations effort by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to distance themselves from the el-Fasher massacre. The incident, which claimed over 1,500 civilian lives, has drawn renewed attention to the RSF’s history of atrocities and its deep involvement in Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
The man known as Abu Lulu, whose real name is Brigadier General al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, became infamous after videos surfaced showing him killing unarmed civilians and boasting about his actions online. His arrest, publicized by the RSF on October 30, was intended to signal accountability—but analysts say it has only underscored the paramilitary group’s complicity in Sudan’s violence.
A Symbol of Sudan’s Descent Into Brutality
For many Sudanese, Abu Lulu has come to personify the country’s terrifying descent into lawlessness. Footage widely shared on social media shows him smiling as he shoots civilians, often questioning them about their ethnic identity before pulling the trigger.
One particularly disturbing video from el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, shows him confronting an unarmed restaurant owner, asking for his tribe, and shooting him after he identified as Berti, a non-Arab ethnic group. Witnesses said he ignored the man’s desperate pleas for mercy.
Since the war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) erupted in April 2023, Abu Lulu has been linked to killings across Khartoum, Omdurman, West Kordofan, and Darfur. His crimes, according to the Sudan Doctors Network, were not random acts of violence but calculated demonstrations meant to spread terror and inflame ethnic tensions.
The El-Fasher Massacre and Global Outrage
The most shocking incident came on October 27, 2025, when new footage appeared online showing Abu Lulu’s forces executing dozens of civilians in el-Fasher. The videos, recorded by his own men, circulated rapidly and provoked a global outcry.
The Sudan Doctors Network estimates that more than 1,500 people were killed after the SAF fled the city, leaving civilians at the mercy of RSF fighters. Survivors described scenes of unimaginable horror—families slaughtered, hospitals attacked, and entire neighborhoods burned to the ground.
Human rights groups called the killings “ethnic cleansing”, noting the deliberate targeting of non-Arab communities.
Despite this, the RSF quickly attempted to distance itself from the atrocities, releasing a photo of Abu Lulu in handcuffs and claiming he would face justice.
Denial and Disavowal
Following widespread condemnation, RSF leaders insisted that Abu Lulu was not formally part of their command. A senior RSF source told Al Jazeera that the fighter merely led an allied “coalition force.”
“He does not belong to the RSF,” the source said. “He leads a group fighting alongside us, but he will be held accountable for his actions.”
However, observers point out that the RSF has repeatedly used this same defense whenever its fighters have been accused of atrocities. The group, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), has a long record of disavowing local commanders after major human rights violations, only to maintain operational ties with their militias.
Al-Fateh al-Qurashi, the RSF spokesperson, echoed that same narrative, stating that Abu Lulu’s crimes “do not represent” the paramilitary’s values. Yet, rights groups remain unconvinced.
‘A Narcissistic Psychopath’
Dr. David Holmes, a criminal psychologist who reviewed the footage for Al Jazeera, described Abu Lulu as a “narcissistic psychopath” who appeared to relish the violence.
“He is proactive in killing unarmed victims and shows no hesitation,” Holmes said. “His method of killing—indiscriminate, repeated gunfire rather than a single shot—shows enjoyment in the act.”
Holmes added that Abu Lulu’s demeanor suggests he viewed himself as a celebrity, performing for an audience. In one live TikTok broadcast, the fighter bragged about killing “2,000 people” and mocked those who criticized him. The broadcast drew both applause and horror from RSF-linked accounts.
RSF’s Image Problem Deepens
While the RSF claims Abu Lulu’s arrest proves its commitment to justice, analysts say it is unlikely to restore its battered reputation.
The RSF traces its origins to the Janjaweed militias—Arab tribal fighters armed by the Sudanese government during the Darfur conflict of the early 2000s. These militias were accused of widespread massacres, rape, and ethnic cleansing.
In 2013, then-president Omar al-Bashir restructured the Janjaweed into the Rapid Support Forces, appointing Hemedti as commander. Since then, the RSF has grown into a powerful autonomous military bloc, profiting from gold mining, mercenary contracts, and control over trade routes in Darfur.
Today, the RSF’s forces control much of Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan—and are accused of targeting civilians based on ethnicity or political loyalties.
Calls for Accountability and International Action
The el-Fasher massacre has reignited calls for international accountability. Human rights lawyers say that the documentation of Abu Lulu’s actions—filmed and broadcast by his own forces—constitutes clear evidence of war crimes.
Organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have demanded investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC), while survivors urge the United Nations to impose sanctions on RSF commanders.
“He murdered people in front of cameras,” said Khalid, a survivor of the el-Fasher massacre. “He wanted fame. We want justice.”
Despite his arrest, few believe Abu Lulu will face a fair trial. Activists argue that the RSF’s attempt to frame him as a rogue actor is a tactic to deflect responsibility from its leadership.
The Broader Crisis in Sudan
Sudan’s civil war continues to devastate the nation. The conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has killed more than 16,000 people and displaced millions since April 2023.
The fighting has crippled infrastructure, triggered famine in parts of Darfur, and left the international community struggling to deliver humanitarian aid.
Efforts to broker peace have repeatedly failed, with both sides refusing to lay down arms. Meanwhile, local militias and opportunistic warlords have filled the power vacuum, deepening Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
RSF’s Attempt at Political Legitimacy
In July 2025, the RSF announced the formation of a parallel government in areas under its control, claiming to provide stability. But its promises ring hollow in light of massacres like those in el-Fasher.
The Abu Lulu RSF arrest, far from restoring public confidence, has instead become a grim reminder of how impunity continues to define Sudan’s power struggle.
As war rages on, the image of Abu Lulu—grinning before a camera, rifle in hand—has come to symbolize Sudan’s collapse into chaos.
For Further Coverage
For more on Sudan’s ongoing conflict and global responses, visit FFRNews Politics Section, and read the full report by Al Jazeera.
