RSF Leadership Runs Secret Network for Refining and Looting Oil from Sufyan Field

Sources familiar with the matter told Darfur24 that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has begun conducting crude oil refining operations in South Darfur State, following the transfer of crude from oil fields in East Darfur State under its control.

According to multiple sources, four makeshift refineries are currently operating to produce gasoline, using crude oil transported from fields located in Block 6 in the Sufyan area of East Darfur State.

Block 6 falls within the concession area of “Petro Energy,” a joint venture between the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and the Sudan National Oil Company. Production at the Sufyan field began in 2015, with initial output estimated at around 5,000 barrels per day.

The sources said the refining operations are overseen by senior RSF leaders, including Major General Abdulrahman Juma Barakallah, the RSF commander in Central Darfur State, who, according to the sources, owns one of the four operating refineries.

In a related development, local residents told Darfur24 that they had seen foreign individuals, believed to be engineers, accompanied by military personnel in the “Badi” area, northeast of El Daein city and close to the oil fields, during October of last year.