Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has declared that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) remain steadfast in their mission to defeat the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Speaking during the 72nd anniversary of the SAF, Burhan emphasized that this military objective does not preclude a willingness to engage in what he described as genuine peace initiatives.
Burhan clarified that the army has been pursuing peace efforts since the earliest months of the conflict, which began in April 2023. However, he explicitly rejected any peace deal that would allow the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, or their supporters to return to positions of power or influence. He characterized such an outcome as an incomplete peace that would reward those he labeled as criminals and killers.
Outlining the military's stance, which he noted has been consistent since May 2023, Burhan stated that the path to peace requires the RSF to lay down their arms and relocate to designated areas. This process must be followed by the return of displaced citizens to their homes, the restoration of essential services, and the establishment of security, protection, and monitoring. Only after these conditions are met, he suggested, could the status of non-criminal fighters be addressed.
Regarding the political landscape, Burhan announced the commencement of a dialogue with national and sectoral groups dedicated to supporting state unity and institutions. He highlighted the establishment of a legislative council as a critical constitutional requirement. Furthermore, he noted that a group of citizens has independently launched an initiative aimed at fostering a purely Sudanese dialogue to address the ongoing crisis. He stressed that such efforts must originate from within the country, include all political and societal forces, and prioritize the suffering of the Sudanese people. The ongoing war has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of nearly 13 million individuals, according to UN and international estimates.
