Sheffield-Based Propagandist Loses Social Media Platforms
A British citizen living in Sheffield has had his substantial social media presence dismantled after platforms determined his content violated policies on violent extremism. Abdalmonim Alrabea, 44, who expressed support for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), saw his TikTok account with 240,000 followers and his YouTube channel removed last week.
Glorifying Atrocities and Hate Speech
The removals followed an investigation into Alrabea's online activities, which included hundreds of videos supporting the RSF. This paramilitary group has been formally accused of committing genocide by the United States and is implicated in ethnically targeted mass killings in Darfur.
In a particularly disturbing instance, Alrabea featured in a TikTok Live broadcast on 27 October with an active RSF fighter known as Abu Lulu. During the broadcast, Abu Lulu boasted, "Today I killed 2,000 people and then I lost count. I want to start again from zero." Alrabea's response to this confession was laughter. He also used a racial slur against indigenous ethnic groups in Darfur, telling the fighter to "fuck these falangayat up and down."
Members of the Sudanese diaspora in the UK have been calling for action against Alraeab for inciting hate and glorifying violence. Abdallah Abu Garda, chair of the UK-based Darfur Diaspora Association, stated: "Freedom of speech should never serve as a shield for hate speech or incitement to violence. We urge the authorities to take decisive action."
From UK Taxi Driver to Militia Cheerleader
While little is known about his life in Britain, some videos suggest Alrabea has worked as a taxi driver in Sheffield. His influence, however, extended far beyond South Yorkshire. Researchers describe him as one of the most influential online propagandists for the RSF.
His role appears to have been more than just digital cheerleading. Alrabea travelled to Darfur at least twice since the war began, visiting the city of El Fasher in June 2024 when it was under RSF control. He posted videos from the conflict zone, including one where he stood on top of a tank.
Mohaned Elnour, a Sudanese human rights lawyer, clarified Alrabea's significance: "His role is to recruit, to encourage. There are so many people spreading hate speech... but none of them were on the ground, meeting RSF officials." Elnour drew a stark comparison, adding, "Look at Rwanda, how it started – those who spread hate speech fuelled the war."
The RSF captured El Fasher late last month, and evidence has since emerged of mass killings, sexual violence, and possible mass graves. Satellite imagery analysed by Yale researchers showed visible blood stains on the city's streets.
While TikTok and YouTube have now acted, Alrabea has a history of reopening accounts on other platforms like X after being removed. He is also named in a sanctions application submitted to the British government by Yaslam Altayeb, a British resident who was detained by the RSF before managing to return to the UK.
