Sudanese army chief vows to defeat the RSF after the paramilitary’s withdrawal from Khartoum

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has vowed to eradicate the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), signaling no intention for peace talks and reconciliation despite ongoing fierce fighting.

In a video statement over the weekend, Burhan declared that the army would not forgive or negotiate with the RSF, instead offering amnesty to those who surrender. His remarks followed significant military advances, including the army’s control of Omdurman’s Souq Libya, a key commercial hub that had been used by the RSF for attacks. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemetti, admitted his forces withdrew from Khartoum in a tactical “redeployment”, as he vowed to “return with even stronger determination.” He denied any negotiations with the army, stating that only combat lay ahead.

As the army continues to assert control over Khartoum and surrounding areas, the fate of Sudan’s future remains uncertain, with both sides committed to military victory at all costs. International efforts to broker peace, including by U.S. diplomats, have thus far been unsuccessful, as Sudan plunges deeper into instability.

The war between the army and RSF, sparked by a power struggle ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule, has wreaked havoc across Sudan. The violence has displaced millions, caused widespread famine, and triggered ethnic conflicts that have spread into neighboring countries like Chad and Libya. Tens of thousands have died in the conflict, and the United Nations has deemed it the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.