RSF leader urges army to admit defeat, calls for dialogue

ADDIS ABABA – The leader of Sudan’s rebellious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Mohamed Hamdan Daglo on Monday called on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under Abdelfattah Al-Burhan to admit defeat and called for dialogue.

Dagalo, who is currently in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, said the RSF does not intend to be a substitute for the army, but that it is committed to the political process and to building a Sudan of peace and justice.

“The RSF does not intend to be a substitute for the Sudanese army,” he said. “The Sudanese army must admit that it has lost the war.”

He also expressed regret for the widespread violations that took place in Al-Gezira State in December 2023 following the RSF takeover of the city.

Hemedti however attributed these violations to armed elements not affiliated with the RSF.

“We express our deepest regret and sadness for the widespread violations that took place in Jazeera State by armed elements not affiliated with the RSF,” he said.

Dagalo called on the civilian forces to take serious steps to start a dialogue that will end the war and form a government.

His remarks come amid growing calls for an end to the conflict in Sudan, which has been ongoing for more than eight months between the two former allies.

The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced millions.