The Chief of Sudan’s armed forces, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has firmly rebuffed any prospects of negotiation with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), intensifying tensions within the nation.
The Chief of Sudan’s armed forces, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, stated on Friday his firm refusal to engage in negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This decision arises from allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity attributed to RSF leader General Mohamad Hamdan Dagalo.
Addressing soldiers in Sudan’s Red Sea state, al-Burhan condemned RSF actions, citing widespread crimes reported in West Darfur and across the nation, deeming any form of reconciliation or agreement with the RSF unacceptable.
This declaration follows the recent agreement between conflicting generals to hold face-to-face discussions and initiate talks toward a potential ceasefire, a development facilitated by the East African regional bloc IGAD.
General Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF commander, previously operated discreetly but maintained an active presence on social media. His recent East Africa tour, with a stop in Kigali, Rwanda, on Friday (Jan. 05), has aimed to highlight his commitment to ending hostilities in Sudan. He pointed to challenges arising from opposing forces’ reluctance and deliberate efforts to prolong the conflict.
The nine-month conflict between Sudan’s top military leaders has inflicted severe devastation and claimed the lives of over 12,000 individuals.
In a statement on Thursday, the U.N.’s undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs emphasized the pressing need for humanitarian assistance for nearly 25 million Sudanese in 2024. However, intensifying hostilities are hindering access to most of them, painting a bleak reality for the nation.
