Abakar took part in the war in Darfur in 2003, rising to the position of vice-president of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), along with being the leader of Masalit soldiers in the group.

[8] Following the Sudanese Revolution in 2020, almost all rebel groups signed the Juba Peace Agreement, including the Sudan Liberation Movement, which Abakar was still a part of.

In an attempt to cement the peace, interim prime minister Abdalla Hamdok appointed several former militia leaders to governor positions in Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces launched attacks on Masalit civilians during their siege on the city of Geneina, including members of Abakar's family.

[12] Abakar narrowly escaped an assassination bid when unidentified armed individuals opened fire on his vehicle on April 28.

[13] On June 14, an RSF shelling of the El Jamarik neighborhood killed seventeen civilians, including relatives of the Dar Masalit sultan.