Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, delivered a scathing critique of Sudan’s military leadership on Sunday, accusing them of prioritizing personal power over the welfare of the Sudanese people. Dagalo’s comments highlighted the ongoing power struggle within the country’s military ranks as the primary driver of Sudan’s escalating conflict.
Dagalo pointed specifically to the influence of the Islamic Movement and its allies within the armed forces, singling out General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as a central figure.
“It has become abundantly clear that Burhan and his coterie lack any real commitment to negotiating or working for the future of Sudan or alleviating the suffering of its people,” Dagalo said, referring to the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which is currently stationed in Port Sudan.
Despite mounting international pressure, General al-Burhan and his forces have declined to engage in the Geneva Peace Talks, which entered their fifth day on Saturday. The talks, sponsored by the United States and supported by international and regional powers, aim to broker a ceasefire and create a framework for peace in Sudan, which has been engulfed in conflict for more than a year.
Dagalo underscored that al-Burhan and his allies, who fled Khartoum when violence erupted, appear more concerned with protecting their privileges and maintaining their ties to the former regime. That regime has been widely blamed for fostering conflict, displacement, and widespread instability in Sudan.
As the RSF delegation participates in the ongoing peace talks in Geneva, Dagalo reaffirmed the RSF’s commitment to negotiations as part of a larger strategy to stabilize the country. “We have responded to all regional and international initiatives aimed at stopping the war,” he said.
However, Dagalo issued a stern warning, stating that the RSF would not allow “a mere group of terrified generals” to dictate Sudan’s future. He hinted at the possibility of exploring alternative measures should negotiations falter, emphasizing that the RSF would not stand by while the Sudanese people’s fate is determined by those whom he accused of abandoning their responsibilities during the nation’s most critical period.
Dagalo further called on both the Sudanese public and the international community to hold the country’s military leaders accountable for their indifference toward the suffering of millions and their neglect of efforts to restore peace and stability.
The conflict in Sudan, now entering its second year, has displaced millions and triggered a dire humanitarian crisis. International efforts to mediate peace have yet to produce a lasting resolution, as violence continues to ravage the country.