Sudan's Hemedti threatens escalation, accuses al-Burhan of sabotaging peace efforts

In a stark warning, Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has accused the nation’s military leadership of failing to show a genuine commitment to peace talks.

His remarks come amid ongoing conflict, with the RSF leader threatening to escalate the situation if the military's approach to negotiations does not change.

Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, criticised General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his allies in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, claiming that their main concern is maintaining their own privileges rather than working for the future of Sudan and easing the suffering of its people.

"It has become undeniably clear that al-Burhan and his clique lack any genuine commitment to negotiation, working towards Sudan's future, or alleviating the suffering of its people, who are facing significant challenges due to the war ignited by the Islamic Movement and its leaders within the armed forces," Dagalo stated.

He expressed frustration over the ongoing Geneva peace talks, where his delegation is participating with the aim of resolving the Sudanese crisis. Dagalo accused the military leadership, which he referred to as the "Port Sudan gang," of being more concerned with their personal interests and the preservation of a system that has brought "wars, displacement, and refugees" to Sudan.

"While our negotiating delegation is in Geneva with a sincere desire to find a solution to the Sudanese crisis, the Port Sudan gang is primarily focused on preserving their privileges and personal interests, which are deeply intertwined with the interests of the old regime that bequeathed us wars, displacement, and refugees," he added.

Dagalo reaffirmed his commitment to negotiations as a strategic approach to achieving stability in Sudan, yet he issued a veiled threat, signalling that his forces are prepared to pursue alternative measures if the situation demands it.

General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the Rapid Support Forces Commander. (Photo: Handout)

"We are committed to negotiation as a fundamental and strategic principle to achieve stability in our country, and that is why we have responded to all regional and international initiatives aimed at ending the war. However, we will not allow a mere group of terrified generals, who fled the capital, to control the fate of our people. We have many options at our disposal, and we are capable of implementing them whenever it becomes necessary," Dagalo warned.

In a call to action, the RSF leader urged the international community and concerned Sudanese to take a decisive stand against the military leaders, whom he accused of disregarding the suffering of millions of Sudanese and undermining the prospects for peace and stability in the country.

"We call upon all concerned Sudanese and members of the international community to take a decisive stand against the disregard shown by the leaders of the hijacked military institution towards the suffering of millions of Sudanese and the cause of peace and stability in Sudan," he concluded.

Dagalo's statements come as the conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, with peace talks in Geneva facing significant challenges.

The paramilitary group, under Dagalo, has been repeatedly accused of gross rights violations across the country since the war started in April last year, when simmering tensions between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in Khartoum and elsewhere.

The devastating conflict has killed more than 14,000 people and wounded 33,000, according to the United Nations, but rights activists say the toll could be much higher.

The Sudan Conflict Monitor, a group of experts and rights activists, said the RSF seizure of Singa will likely have "severe humanitarian consequences," with potential future disruption of large-scale agricultural programmes in the nearby provinces of Blue Nile, White Nile, and Jazira, which was once Sudan's breadbasket.