13 Facts About Musa Hilal

Musa Hilal is a Sudanese Arab tribal chief and militia leader and adviser to the Sudanese Minister of Internal Affairs.

In January 2014 Musa Hilal defected from Sudan's ruling National Congress Party, and launched a new movement known as the Sudanese Awakening Revolutionary Council.

On 11 March 2021, Musa Hilal was released after receiving a pardon granted by the Sovereign Council, the institution responsible for the transition in Sudan.

Musa Hilal remains under UN sanctions and is accused of serious crimes in Darfur.

Musa Hilal was born in 1961, belonging to the Mahamid section of northern Rizayqat confederation.

Musa Hilal has acknowledged his role in the recruitment of Janjaweed militias, although he consistently denies that he is part of the military chain of command of the Janjaweed.

Musa Hilal has been accused of inciting ethnic conflicts in some areas in Darfur.

In 2003 Musa Hilal was sent to prison in Port Sudan by the governor of North Darfur, but was released in April 2003 supposedly on Vice President Ali Osman Taha's orders and given the authority to recruit and command militia forces.

Musa Hilal is the leader of the Um Jalul tribe, which plays a major role in the attacks in Darfur.

Musa Hilal has been named by victims, witnesses of the attacks, and member of the armed force, as second in command of the Janjaweed militias, "border intelligence brigade," in Misteriya.

Musa Hilal was reported to have met numerous times with militia leaders to coordinate other village attacks.

Musa Hilal has been accused of kidnapping women and keeping them imprisoned in West Misteriya, at Jebel Jur Hilal.

Musa Hilal is said to hold enough information to pose a threat to the Sudanese government if the latter were to turn against him.