Sudan War: No Talks with RSF – Official

Sudan Rejects Negotiations with RSF as War Enters Third Year

Despite a recent peace plan presented to the United Nations, Sudan’s government has firmly ruled out any negotiations with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as fighting continues to escalate and devastate the nation.

The Sudanese conflict,now nearing its third year,shows no signs of abating. A senior official stated on Thursday that any path to peace lies through the government’s roadmap, not through dialogue with what thay deem an occupying force. “There is no truce and no negotiation with an occupier, and that the just peace that Sudan desires will be achieved through the roadmap and vision of its people and government,” said Malik Agar Ayyir, deputy chairman of the transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC).

Did you know? – Sudan gained independence from Anglo-Egyptian rule in 1956. Since then,the country has experienced multiple periods of internal conflict and political instability,often linked to resource control and ethnic tensions.

Government Frames Conflict as a Battle for Resources and Demographics

Speaking to ministers and state officials in Port Sudan, the government’s current base of operations, Ayyir dismissed the notion that the war is driven by a pursuit of “democracy.” Instead,he characterized the conflict as a struggle “over resources and a desire to change Sudan’s demographics,” emphasizing an prospect to bolster national unity. This framing directly challenges the RSF’s narrative and underscores the government’s determination to maintain territorial integrity.

The government’s stance follows Prime Minister Kamil Idris’s presentation of a peace plan to the United Nations Security council earlier this month. The plan, consistent with the Sudanese army’s position, calls for the RSF to withdraw from areas seized in western and central Sudan. The proposal outlines a process of disarmament and placement in camps, with potential reintegration into society for those not implicated in war crimes.

Though, the RSF has consistently rejected this framework. Al-Basha Tibiq, a top advisor to RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, dismissed the plan as “closer to fantasy than to politics.”

Pro tip – Understanding the key players is crucial. The Sudanese army is led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, while the RSF is commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. Both previously collaborated in a 2021 coup.

RSF Gains Territory Amidst Reports of Atrocities

The war has already forcibly displaced approximately 14 million people, and the RSF continues to consolidate its control over captured territory while expanding its attacks. International aid agencies working on the ground report a disturbing pattern of mass killings, systematic sexual violence, and the deliberate concealment of evidence through the burying and burning of bodies in Darfur.

The humanitarian crisis has deepened following the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, in October. On Thursday, the RSF announced it had established control over the Abu Qumra region in North darfur, claiming to have “completely liberated” the areas of Abu Qumra and Um Buru.

Despite mounting evidence of widespread atrocities, the RSF maintains that its primary objective is to “protect civilians and end the presence of remnants of armed pockets and mercenary movements.” The group released footage purportedly showing its fighters advancing towards el-Obeid, a strategically crucial city in North Kordofa

Reader question – What role do external actors play in this conflict, and how might international pressure influence the situation in Sudan? Share your thoughts.

Why: The conflict began as a power struggle between the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). It has evolved into a broader conflict over resources, demographics, and political control.

Who: The primary actors are