Deadly “Janjaweed Business”: RSF Leaders Turn Nyala into Weapons ‘Supermarket’

Local traders and brokers revealed a growing surge in the trade of heavy and light weapons and various types of ammunition in markets across Nyala, South Darfur State, despite their prior closure by local authorities.

Nyala is a key hub for the Rapid Support Forces and has also been designated by the so-called Sudan Founding Alliance (“Tasees”) as the seat of its parallel government.

Weapons traders told Darfur24 that arms in Nyala markets are sold to any armed group seeking to purchase them, including elements affiliated with the Sudan Liberation Army led by Abdul Wahid Mohamed Nur, as well as members of the Joint Force.

A trader, identified by the pseudonym Abu Fatima, said he sells weapons in the livestock market, ranging from heavy arms such as RPGs, DShK machine guns, and heavy machine guns, to light assault weapons like Kalashnikovs and pistols.

He explained that transactions are conducted inside the market, while deliveries take place at external locations due to the closure of the market west of the “cattle enclosure” area and the presence of militia military police checkpoints.

Sources indicated that weapons are supplied by RSF soldiers and officers coming from active combat zones, in addition to shipments arriving from the Central African Republic.

According to traders, prices range from 800,000 Sudanese pounds for a Kalashnikov, to more than 2 million pounds for machine guns, and between 4 to 5 million pounds for DShK weapons, depending on quality and demand.

They added that these markets have effectively turned into logistical supply hubs for armed groups across Darfur, providing weapons, ammunition, and even combat vehicles.