Senior Rapid Support Forces commander Siddiq Ander has defected from Hemedti's forces in Sudan, marking the latest high-profile departure from the paramilitary group. Meanwhile, Sudan has accused Ethiopia of allowing drone strikes from its territory against Sudanese infrastructure, and Sudanese officials are campaigning against Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh's candidacy for UN Secretary-General over the UAE's alleged support for the RSF in a war that has killed tens of thousands since April 2023.
Defection of RSF commander Siddiq Ander
- ▪Senior Rapid Support Forces commander Siddiq Ander stated he defected from the paramilitary group led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, in a video obtained by Al Jazeera on October 30, 2026.
- ▪Senior Rapid Support Forces commander Siddiq Ander is the latest in a series of commanders to break away from the Rapid Support Forces.
Allegations of Ethiopian involvement in RSF drone attacks
- ▪Rapid Support Forces drone attacks targeted six electricity stations across Khartoum, Al-Jazira, Sennar, and Al-Qadarif in Sudan on October 28, 2026.
- ▪Sudanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Muawiya Osman Khalid stated on October 29, 2026, that Sudan accused Ethiopia of allowing its territory to serve as a launchpad for Rapid Support Forces drone attacks against Sudan.
- ▪The Ethiopian government denied allegations of supporting the Rapid Support Forces or allowing drone attacks from its territory, stating that Ethiopia respects Sudanese sovereignty.
Lana Nusseibeh's UN Secretary-General candidacy
- ▪In an October 30, 2026 United Nations Security Council straw poll, Lana Nusseibeh placed fourth after receiving seven 'encourage' votes from the 15 member states.
- ▪Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh was nominated in late October 2026 to succeed António Guterres as United Nations Secretary-General when Guterres steps down at the end of 2026.
Opposition to Lana Nusseibeh's UN candidacy
- ▪Pro-democracy and human rights advocates, including Hala Al-Karib, Ibrahim Alduma, and Kenneth Roth, criticized Lana Nusseibeh's United Nations candidacy over the United Arab Emirates' alleged support for paramilitary fighters in Sudan.
- ▪Sudanese Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Ammar Mahmoud accused Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh of personal involvement in covering up atrocities in Sudan while serving as a senior United Arab Emirates foreign ministry official.
- ▪Sudanese Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Ammar Mahmoud urged the United Nations Security Council not to support Lana Nusseibeh's bid for Secretary-General.
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