Name of leader Abdul Wahid al-Nur (Abdel Wahid Mohamed Ahmed al-Nur) (Abdul Wahid Mohamed al Nur, Abdel Wahid el-Nur, Abdulwahid Mohammed Nour[1])
Organization SLM/A - Sudan Liberation Army /Sudan Liberation Movement
Conflict country Sudan
Gender Male
Year of birth 1968[2] [3]
Place of birth Zalingei, west Darfur, Sudan[4] [5]
Year of death N/A
Deceased
No.
Birth order
His birth order is unknown.
Age at start of rebel leadership
In 1992, so at the age of 24.[6]
Leader entry method
He founded the SLM while in law school.[7]
Powersharing
No, there is no evidence of powersharing.
Education (also name universities attended, if any); note any relevant experiences while a student
He studied law at the University of Khartoum. It does not count because he founded the group before finishing. It seems implied though that if he went to law school that he at least has a high school education.
Ever married? If yes, age of first marriage
No, there is no evidence that he was married.
Children
No, there is no evidence he had children.
Religious identification
He was likely a Sunni Muslim.[9]
Elite Family background
His family background is unknown.
Political affiliations and intellectual circles; note any relevant social connections made
No, there is no evidence in the literature of political affiliations.
Physical and mental health
No, there is no evidence of poor physical or mental health.
Pre-militant leader occupation
He was an activist (founded SLM/A while completing education).[10]
Experience in a state military, and role; any relevant social ties
No, there was no evidence of experience in a state military.
Experience in a nonstate military, and role; any relevant social ties
No, there was no evidence of experience in a nonstate military.
Combat experience prior to assuming resistance organization leadership?
No, there was no evidence of combat experience.
Held government position prior to assuming leadership?
No, there was no evidence of he held a government position.
Lived in exile?
Yes, he has been living in self-exile in Paris since 2006.[11] He left Paris in 2010 and moved to Nairobi and traveled between there and Kampala.[12]
He also lived in Eritrea before fleeing in November 2006.[13]
He was criticized by “own commanders because of his self-exile from Darfur”[14]
Study abroad?
No, there is no evidence of study abroad.
Did the leader receive military training abroad?
No, there is no evidence he received military training abroad.
Did the leader have extensive work experience abroad?
No, there is no evidence of extensive work experience abroad.
Serve time in prison? Social connections during that time?
No, there is no evidence of time served in prison.
Was there an assassination attempt on the leader by the state?
No, there is no evidence of an assassination attempt by the state.
Cause of Death?
N/A
Primary language, and other languages spoken as adult
He likely speaks Fur primary and definitely English[15]. His “English has improved immeasurably” credited in large part to mediation. Also, He probably speaks French, since he lived in Paris for some time. [16]
[1] Image Credit: http://next.sudantribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/jpg_abdelwahid--150x150.jpg
(For non-commercial use, all credits belong to the original owners, please contact for removal)
“Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur,” Sudan Tribune, from Human Security Baseline Assessment for Sudan and South Sudan, September 6, 2011, Accessed June 15, 2019, http://www.sudantribune.com/+-Abdel-Wahed-Mohamed-el-Nur,707-+
[2] James Currey, The Sudan Handbook (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 2011), 200.
[3] “Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur,” Sudan Tribune, from Human Security Baseline Assessment for Sudan and South Sudan, September 6, 2011, Accessed June 15, 2019, http://www.sudantribune.com/+-Abdel-Wahed-Mohamed-el-Nur,707-+
[4] James Currey, The Sudan Handbook (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 2011), 200.
[5] “Abdel Wahed Mohamed el-Nur,” Sudan Tribune, from Human Security Baseline Assessment for Sudan and South Sudan, September 6, 2011, Accessed June 15, 2019, http://www.sudantribune.com/+-Abdel-Wahed-Mohamed-el-Nur,707-+
[6] “Sudan rebel leader on limelight while President in panic,” Sudan Tribune, July 18, 2008, Accessed October 7, 2017, http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article27906.
[7] James Currey, The Sudan Handbook (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 2011), 200.
[8] James Currey, The Sudan Handbook (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 2011), 200.
[9] “Religions,” CIA, Accessed October 7, 2017, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html.
[10] James Currey, The Sudan Handbook (Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer Ltd, 2011), 200.
[11] “Sudan Liveration Army-Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW), HSBA, July 16, 2010, Accessed October 7, 2017, http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/archive/sudan/darfur/armed-groups/armed-opposition-groups/SLA-AW/SLA-AW-16-July-2010.pdf.
[12] “Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW),” Sudan Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA), Small Arms Survey Sudan, http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/facts-figures/sudan/darfur/armed-groups/opposition/HSBA-Armed-Groups-SLA-AW.pdf
[13] Jonah Fisher, “Darfur Rebel Leader’s Long Game,” BBC News, August 24, 2007, Accessed June 15, 2019, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6962766.stm
[14] “Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW),” Sudan Human Security Baseline Assessment (HSBA), Small Arms Survey Sudan, http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/facts-figures/sudan/darfur/armed-groups/opposition/HSBA-Armed-Groups-SLA-AW.pdf
[15] “Interview: Abdul Wahid al-Nur, Sudan Liberation Army,” RFI, Accessed March 4, 2018, https://soundcloud.com/radiofranceinternationale/interview-abdul-wahid-al-nur-sudan-liberation-army.
[16] Jonah Fisher, “Darfur Rebel Leader’s Long Game,” BBC News, August 24, 2007, Accessed June 15, 2019, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6962766.stm