A British citizen living in Sheffield was seen laughing during a TikTok live stream as a notorious fighter from Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) bragged about taking part in mass killings in El Fasher.
The video, broadcast on October 27, is one of many where 44-year-old Abdalmonim Alrabea expresses support for the RSF and its ethnically motivated atrocities in Darfur. As a prominent online propagandist for the group, he has visited Darfur at least twice since the war began and posts daily monologues to accounts with tens of thousands of followers on TikTok, YouTube, and X.
Members of the Sudanese community in the UK are calling for action against Alrabea, accusing him of inciting hatred and glorifying violence. Abdallah Abu Garda, chair of the UK-based Darfur Diaspora Association, stated, “Freedom of speech should never protect hate speech or calls for violence. We urge authorities to take firm action, hold him accountable, and stop him from spreading harmful content.”
Little is known about Alrabea’s life in the UK, though some videos suggest he has worked as a taxi driver in Sheffield. The Guardian reached out to him for comment.
In the October 27 TikTok live, hosted by an RSF member named Zafer, Alrabea appeared alongside active RSF fighter Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, known as Abu Lulu, who has been featured in videos from El Fasher showing unarmed people being killed. Abu Lulu claimed, “Today I killed 2,000 people and then I lost count. I want to start again from zero,” prompting laughter from Alrabea. Alrabea also used a derogatory term for indigenous Darfuri groups, telling Abu Lulu to “fuck these falangayat up and down.”
Following contact from The Guardian, TikTok removed Alrabea’s account, which had 240,000 followers, for violating policies on violent and criminal behavior. YouTube also deleted his account last week, citing violations of its policy on violent extremist or criminal organizations.
TikTok uses technology and moderation teams to review content, including live streams, which are not stored on the platform after broadcasting, making it harder to detect inflammatory material unless viewers record it. X has previously taken down Alrabea’s accounts, but he has reopened new ones that quickly gain followers. The company referred to its rules on violent and hateful content when asked for comment.
The RSF seized El Fasher from the Sudanese army late last month, and evidence has since emerged of ethnically targeted mass killings, sexual violence, and abductions. Satellite imagery analyzed by Yale researchers shows blood stains on the streets and possible mass graves. In January, the United States formally declared that the RSF had committed genocide during the war.
Mohamed Suliman, a Sudanese researcher and writer in Boston who campaigns against RSF-linked accounts, described Alrabea as a “dedicated RSF supporter” and possibly “the group’s most influential social media activist.” He added, “RSF social media activists play a key role in strengthening the militia’s followers by spreading narratives that justify their war.”
Alrabea is named in an application by British resident Yaslam Altayeb, who was detained by the RSF early in the war, to the British government.The UK government planned to impose sanctions on several individuals accused of supporting the RSF. Altayeb was later released and returned to the UK.
Many videos featuring Alrabea have since been removed, though some were saved by the online platform Sudan in the News.
In June of this year, Alrabea posted videos on YouTube and TikTok from El Fasher itself, during a visit to areas of the city then under RSF control.
Mohaned Elnour, a Sudanese human rights lawyer, suggested that Alrabea’s ability to travel to Darfur amid ongoing conflict shows he holds significant influence within the organization, beyond just vocal support.
“His role is to recruit and encourage,” Elnour stated. “While many spread hate speech and try to inspire the RSF, none were on the ground meeting officials or posing on tanks like he did,” he added, referencing a photo Alrabea shared from a 2023 trip to Darfur. “Consider Rwanda and how it began—those who spread hate speech fueled the war.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Below is a list of FAQs about an individual based in Sheffield who works as a recruiter for the RSF militia
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is the RSF
The RSF or Rapid Support Forces is a major paramilitary force in Sudan It grew out of the Janjaweed militias and is currently engaged in a violent conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces for control of the country
2 What does a recruiter for the RSF do
A recruiter tries to find and persuade people to join the RSF often by spreading propaganda that portrays the militia in a positive light and downplays or justifies its violent actions
3 What kind of propaganda is being spread
This propaganda often aims to glorify the RSF as defenders of Sudan deny or minimize reports of their human rights abuses and recruit new fighters by promising payment power or a sense of purpose
4 Is it legal to recruit for a foreign militia from the UK
This is a complex legal area The UK has strict laws against funding supporting or recruiting for terrorist organizations While the RSF is not currently a proscribed terrorist group in the UK its actions could be investigated under other laws related to encouraging terrorism or violating international sanctions
Advanced Questions
5 What are the realworld consequences of this recruitment and propaganda
The propaganda helps the RSF continue its military campaign which has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan including widespread displacement famine and atrocities against civilians Recruitment directly fuels this conflict
6 Could someone in the UK face legal consequences for doing this
Yes potentially If their activities are found to be encouraging terrorism or supporting a group that is later proscribed they could face prosecution They could also be investigated for violating sanctions or for incitement to violence
7 How does this activity impact the Sudanese community in Sheffield
It can create fear intimidation and deep divisions within the community Those who oppose the RSF may feel threatened or harassed and it can turn a distant conflict into a local source of tension and trauma
8 What is the difference between the RSF and the Sudanese army
Both groups are accused of committing war crimes The primary difference is their origin and structure The Sudanese Armed Forces is the official national army
