Musa Hilal

Musa Hilal
موسى هلال
Born1961 (age 62–63)[1]
Political partyJanjaweed, National Congress Party (until 2014), Sudanese Awakening Revolutionary Council (2014–present)[2]
ChildrenAmani Musa Hilal

Musa Hilal (Arabic: موسى هلال, romanizedMūsa Hilāl) is a Sudanese Arab tribal chief and militia leader and adviser to the Sudanese Minister of Internal Affairs.[3] His Um Jalul clan exercised tribal leadership of the Arab Mahamid tribe in Darfur.[1] The Mahamid are part of a larger confederation of camel-herding (Abbala) tribes of the Northern Rizeigat.[4] Musa is the leader of the Janjaweed militia, which was responsible for a massive military campaign against civilians in Darfur in 2003, as part of a counterinsurgency effort against Darfur rebel groups. On 21 January 2008, the Federal Government of Sudan announced the nomination of Musa Hilal as the chief advisor of the Ministry of Federal Affairs in Sudan. This position allows Mr. Musa to coordinate with regional leaders surrounding Darfur, as well as with Arab tribal groups, on the relations of the military regime.[5]

This political position further permits the military leader power over decisions made in Khartoum pertaining the recruitment of Janjaweed militias.[5] In January 2014 Musa defected from Sudan's ruling National Congress Party, and launched a new movement known as the Sudanese Awakening Revolutionary Council.[6] As of late March 2014 Musa was running his own administration in North Darfur, with his troops controlling Saraf Umra town, Kutum town, Kabkabiya town, and the El Waha area.[7]

He was arrested in November 2017.[8] By the time Sudanese President and National Congress Party leader Omar al-Bashir was deposed April 2019, it was reported that Musa still remained in prison.[9]

On 11 March 2021, Musa Hilal was released after receiving a pardon granted by the Sovereign Council, the institution responsible for the transition in Sudan. Musa Hilal remains under UN sanctions and is accused of serious crimes in Darfur.

  1. ^ a b http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article25660 "PROFILE: Musa Hilal from a convicted felon to a government official" Sunday Tribune 22 January 2008
  2. ^ Janjaweed leader defects from NCP, establishes new political movement
  3. ^ "'Janjaweed leader' is Sudan aide". 21 January 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  4. ^ Flint, Julie (October 2010). "The Other War: Inter-Arab Conflict in Darfur" (PDF). Small Arms Survey. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Musa Hilal: 'Minister of Offense', the New Republic (On-line) February 1, 2008 :: Sudanreeves.org :: Sudan Research, Analysis, and Advocacy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2008. Musa Hilal: “Minister of Offense,” The New Republic 1 February 2008
  6. ^ "Janjaweed leader defects from NCP, establishes new political movement – Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan". www.sudantribune.com. Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Musa Hilal 'establishes administration' in North Darfur". Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Sudan says militia leader arrested". BBC News. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  9. ^ "The Stunning Revenge of Sudan's Former 'Janjaweed'". MEMRI. Retrieved 9 June 2019.

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