In a recent address to his fighters, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), acknowledged the group’s withdrawal from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. This admission comes on the heels of a significant military offensive by rival army forces, which have declared that they have reclaimed control of the city after nearly two years of intense conflict. Just days prior, the RSF had pledged to maintain their positions, asserting that they would “not retreat and no surrender,” despite the army’s claim of having eradicated the last remnants of RSF forces from Khartoum.
Daglo’s statement was clear: “I confirm to you that we have indeed left Khartoum, but… we will return with even stronger determination.” His remarks, shared via social media, mark a stark shift from the RSF’s earlier assertions and highlight the ongoing volatility of the situation in Sudan.
The conflict in Sudan has precipitated what the United Nations has termed the worst hunger and displacement crises globally. The war has forcibly displaced over 12 million citizens, resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, and led to the UN declaring famine conditions in several regions of the country.
Daglo also expressed his disdain for any potential negotiations with the army, emphasizing that the RSF holds no agreements or discussions with its rivals and reiterating a commitment to continue battling. Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has echoed this hardline stance, pledging not to capitulate or negotiate until every rebel is eliminated from Sudan. He characterized the army’s recent territorial gains as part of a decisive campaign to reassert control over significant sites in Khartoum, including the presidential palace and the war-damaged airport.
Despite these military achievements, Sudan remains divided, with the army holding territories in the east and north while the RSF maintains significant control over the vast Darfur region and parts of southern Sudan. The Pope, currently recovering from serious health issues, has joined calls for renewed negotiations to address the dire situation in Sudan, pointing to the urgent need for diplomatic intervention as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
Previously, both the United States and Saudi Arabia attempted to mediate between the warring factions, yet their efforts to establish ceasefires have consistently faltered. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed Washington’s commitment to engaging diplomatically and has consulted with leaders from Kenya and Ethiopia regarding the conflict. His predecessor, Antony Blinken, had also sought to facilitate an end to hostilities but expressed frustration over the lack of progress.
As part of the international response, the U.S. has enacted sanctions against both the army and the RSF. The military has been accused of targeting civilians, while the RSF faces allegations of committing genocide in Darfur. In a turn of events, recent reports indicated drone strikes by RSF forces targeting the airport in Damazin and the Roseires Dam, marking a new phase of conflict and escalation.
Further complicating matters, a medical source in El-Obeid reported that an RSF strike resulted in civilian casualties, including the death of a child and injuries to eight others. This incident aligns with ongoing concerns about the RSF’s activities, particularly after the military claimed to have broken a siege in North Kordofan earlier this year. A United Nations report from January raised alarms about potential military support being funneled to the RSF from the United Arab Emirates, through Chad.
The situation in Sudan continues to evolve rapidly, with no clear resolution in sight, emphasizing the ongoing desperation and volatility that mark this protracted conflict.
