[5] In January 2014 Musa defected from Sudan's ruling National Congress Party, and launched a new movement known as the Sudanese Awakening Revolutionary Council.
[8] By the time Sudanese President and National Congress Party leader Omar al-Bashir was deposed April 2019, it was reported that Musa still remained in prison.
[9] On 11 March 2021, Musa Hilal was released after receiving a pardon granted by the Sovereign Council, the institution responsible for the transition in Sudan.
His father, Hilal Muhammad Abdallah, had during a long sheikh-ship sought increased influence by welcoming from Chad other Rizayqat tribesmen, a policy pursued also by his rival for tribal leadership, Shaykh Adud Hassaballah of the Mahariya branch.
If there’s a concrete complaint and an investigation is opened against me, I can go to court – nobody is above the law – but not because of allegations made by Ali al Haj and Khalil Ibrahim, who are rebel leaders, who make up dark information and give to the UN, and they put my name on the list.
"[12] Musa also claims that actions by the Janjaweed are organized and directed from the federal government in Khartoum under Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
[11] Another communique from Sheikh Musa's headquarters in 2004, obtained by de Waal, demanded the militias to "change the demography of Darfur and empty it of African tribes.
[1] In 2003 Musa Hilal was sent to prison in Port Sudan by the governor of North Darfur, but was released in April 2003 supposedly on Vice President Ali Osman Taha’s orders and given the authority to recruit and command militia forces.
[14] After his release Musa Hilal settled in Kebkabiya, where he supposedly organized a meeting to recruit Arab tribesmen from Awlad Rashid, Ireqat and Um Jalul.
He has been named by victims, witnesses of the attacks, and member of the armed force, as second in command of the Janjaweed militias, "border intelligence brigade," in Misteriya.
[17] Thus, the Sudanese government has often dismissed international criticism regarding its decision to promote Musa Hilal to adviser to Federal Affairs Minister Abdel Basit Sabderat.