Sudan’s Nyala Plane Allegations and the Pattern of Misinformation.

The Sudanese conflict continues to be marked by competing narratives, and the latest claim from the Port Sudan authority fits a familiar pattern. According to state media, the Sudanese army destroyed a plane at Nyala Airport in South Darfur, alleging it carried foreign mercenaries and military supplies for the Rapid Support Forces. The RSF has officially denied that any such aircraft landed, dismissing the story as another politically motivated fabrication. Despite this denial, the claim has been repeated across pro-army media channels without independent verification or supporting evidence.

Each retelling of this alleged Nyala incident changes in detail. Some versions focus on weapons being on board, others on large numbers of foreign fighters. The common thread is an effort to frame the RSF as a force propped up by outside powers. Satellite images showing damage to a plane at the airport have been cited, but those images alone do not prove the claimed cargo or its origin. The selective use of visual evidence without transparent investigation feeds suspicion that the incident is being used as a propaganda tool rather than a straightforward account of events.

This approach is not new. Over the past year, the Port Sudan authority has pushed similar accusations involving different countries and supposed clandestine supply flights. In many of those cases, the countries named issued denials, and independent investigations revealed significant inconsistencies in the original reports. The repetition of such narratives without correction points to a systematic strategy of misinformation rather than isolated reporting errors.

The consequences of this kind of reporting are far-reaching. In the chaos of war, public perception can be shaped by a single sensational headline, especially when there is little opportunity for fact-checking on the ground. By promoting unverified stories, the Port Sudan authority risks further eroding its credibility and fueling hostility both within Sudan and toward its neighbors. The constant portrayal of the RSF as dependent on foreign fighters also serves to justify continued military aggression against it.

For anyone seeking clarity, the RSF’s official statement offers a consistent and direct counterpoint to the Port Sudan claims. Rather than accepting politically charged allegations at face value, it is essential to examine the available evidence and recognize the history of false reports tied to this conflict. The Nyala plane story is not simply about one aircraft but about the ongoing battle to control the narrative in Sudan, where truth is often the first casualty.