Sudan’s al-Burhan Rejects Talks and Vows to Retake RSF Territory

Sudan’s military chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has rejected negotiations to end the country’s war and pledged to retake territory held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Speaking to a gathering in Village 5, in the northern Sudanese locality of Merowe, al-Burhan said the “military option” would continue until the RSF was removed from Sudan, according to the Sudan News Agency. He also vowed to seize “every inch” of territory under the group’s control.

Fighting and civilian casualties

The Sudanese army and the RSF have been fighting since April 2023. The conflict began after leaders of the two forces disagreed over plans to integrate the paramilitary RSF into the national army.

UN and international estimates cited in the report put the death toll at tens of thousands, while around 13 million people have been displaced since the fighting began.

In West Kordofan, the Dar Hamar Emergency Committee reported that 10 civilians were killed and several others wounded in an attack in Abu Ajal village. The local group accused the RSF of committing multiple violations against civilians. The casualty report has not been independently verified.

The RSF was also reported to be massing in West Kordofan as the Sudanese army advanced towards En Nahud and Al Khuway, following reported gains in neighbouring North Kordofan. The report did not provide independent confirmation of the military movements or troop buildup.

Displacement in Blue Nile

More than 5,500 people were displaced from villages in Blue Nile state over three days, the International Organization for Migration said, as security conditions deteriorated. The villages involved were not identified in the report.

The latest developments came as clashes widened on Tuesday, adding to pressure on communities already affected by the prolonged conflict.

Calls for a political settlement

Massad Boulos, the United States senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, said Sudanese parties must lead efforts to end the war. In a post on X, he called for “an inclusive Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led national dialogue” leading to a transition towards a civilian-led government.

The United States State Department said the previous month that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces, the RSF nor their respective leaders “represent legitimate, constitutional governance for Sudan”.

Al-Burhan’s remarks indicate that the army leadership remains committed to a military solution, despite calls for negotiations and a civilian-led transition.