Abu Aqla Kikal

Abu Aqla Kikal (Arabic: أبو عاقلة كيكل; 1971 or 1972),^[1] also spelled Abu Agla Keikel, is a Sudanese military officer and former commander in the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).^[2][3]

Major General Abu Aqla Kikal
أبو عاقلة كيكل
Personal details
Born	1971 or 1972 (age 52–53)[1]
Military service
Allegiance	Rapid Support Forces (until October 2024) Sudanese Armed Forces (from October 2024)
Rank	Major General
Commands	RSF in Gezira State and Sennar State (until October 2024) SAF in Gezira and Khartoum State (from October 2024)
Battles/wars	Sudanese civil war (2023-present) First Battle of Wad Madani Sennar offensive Battle of Jebel Moya Second Battle of Wad Madani Battle of Khartoum

Kikal originates from Butana in central Sudan. He is a retired officer from the Sudanese Army, and founded the Sudan Shield Forces in 2002. Keikel became an activist and a key member of the executive office of the "Free Butana Forum," which focuses on Butana region affairs.^[4][5]

By August 2023, he declared his support for the RSF in the civil war.^[4] In October 2024, he defected to the Sudanese Armed Forces,^[5] which triggered a series of violent retaliatory attacks by the RSF on civilians in the Gezira State.^[6] These attacks have resulted in numerous casualties and widespread displacement.^[6]

In February 2025, the Human Rights Watch reported that Sudan Shield Forces, led by Abu Aqla Kikal, targeted civilians in Tayba, Gezira state, killing at least 26 people. The HRW verified the attack using satellite imagery and videos, labeling it as a potential war crime. SAF condemned the incident as an "individual transgression", but has since not launched a full investigation.^[7]