Defected Sudanese RSF commander Savannah performs Hajj in Mecca

Defected Sudanese RSF commander Savannah performs Hajj in Mecca Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 12:21 Ali Rizqallah appears among pilgrims days after leaving paramilitary group accused of waging genocide in Darfur Ali Rizqallah, known by the nom de guerre Savannah, films himself during the Hajj pilgrimage earlier this week (Screengrab) Off A senior commander who recently defected from Sudan 's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has filmed himself performing the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, less than three weeks after publicly breaking with the paramilitary group accused of genocide in Darfur. Footage circulated by Al Jazeera on Tuesday appears to show Ali Rizqallah - widely known by his nom de guerre Savannah - at the Kaaba, pressing his hands against its black kiswa covering and making supplications for Sudan as fellow pilgrims circle Islam's holiest site behind him. "O Allah, grant victory to our forces, unite our ranks, stop the bloodshed, end the war, lift this affliction, and bring Your might against every tyrant," he is heard saying.