After a Long Absence, Sudan’s RSF Leader Returns with Threats

The commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), announced that his forces will remain in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and will not withdraw.

In a speech posted on social media, Hemedti threatened a new escalation in battles against the army, stating that the war is now inside Khartoum, making the situation different this time. He also warned that the upcoming RSF anniversary, which falls on Monday, will be a “day of regret and sorrow” for the army and its allies, reiterating his refusal to leave the Republican Palace.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Army announced today that it had inflicted heavy losses on RSF forces in Abu Uraif, between Sennar and White Nile, while carrying out intense artillery strikes on their positions in Omdurman, Khartoum.

Notably, Dagalo’s speech marks his first public appearance in a long time, during which he chose to remain out of the spotlight. His return comes as the army has made significant advances on multiple fronts in recent months amid the ongoing war that began in 2023.

For his part, Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan reaffirmed his rejection of negotiations with the RSF, insisting that they must be disarmed. Speaking in River Nile State, Burhan declared: “There will be no return to negotiations unless RSF elements are gathered in specific locations, disarmed, and held accountable.”