KHARTOUM – Major General Salah Mustafa Abdel Rahim Abdel Shafi, a former inspector general of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nour, announced that he had joined the Justice and Equality Movement led by Jibril Ibrahim along with forces and military equipment under his command.
Abdel Shafi, also known as “Jok and Bob,” said in a statement issued Thursday that the decision reflected his support for JEM’s political and organisational programme and his desire to unite efforts behind what he described as a national project based on justice, equality, citizenship and the rule of law.
The statement did not specify how many fighters or vehicles joined JEM with him.
Abdel Shafi previously served as inspector general in Abdel Wahid’s SLM/A before splitting from the movement in December 2024 and establishing the Sudan Liberation Army – National Call Movement.
At the time, he cited disagreements over the SLM/A leadership’s neutral position in Sudan’s war and called for the movement to side with the Sudanese Armed Forces.
According to his latest statement, Abdel Shafi later commanded Joint Force operations on northern and western fronts in North Darfur and participated in fighting in Bir Marqi, Umm Harath, Ori Biri, Bir Maza, Kulbus and Abu Qamra.
Those battlefield claims could not be independently verified.
Abdel Shafi said he would now work within JEM’s institutions and place his military and organisational experience at the movement’s disposal.
He listed protecting civilians, restoring security, facilitating the return of displaced people and refugees, and pursuing a political settlement addressing the causes of Sudan’s conflict among his priorities.
JEM, led by Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim, is part of the Darfur Joint Force fighting alongside the Sudanese army against the Rapid Support Forces.
JEM’s leadership had not issued a separate statement on Abdel Shafi’s announcement in the information available.
