Sudan’s paramilitary forces leader vows to return to capital ‘stronger than ever’

KHARTOUM, Sudan

The leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, on Sunday vowed to return to Khartoum "stronger than ever," days after the army retook control of the capital.

In a recorded message, Hemedti acknowledged recent RSF withdrawals in Omdurman, saying: "These were strategic repositioning decisions made collectively by military leadership."

"Yes, we left Khartoum, but we will return stronger than ever," he added.

He dismissed any notion that the war was nearing its end, saying: "This is just the beginning. We are determined to win."

"We will defeat them, reclaim Khartoum, Omdurman, Bahri, and all 18 states of Sudan," he said.

Hemedti ruled out any negotiations with the army. "We will not engage in dialogue or agreements with them, only the gun will decide."

On Saturday, the army retook control of Libya Market in western Omdurman, a key RSF stronghold since the war began in April 2023.

On Thursday, the army announced it had cleared the last RSF pockets in Khartoum, after regaining control of the capital’s airport, security headquarters, and several neighborhoods in the east and south for the first time since April 2023.

The army and RSF have been fighting a war since mid-April 2023 that has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 14 million, according to the UN and local authorities. Research from US universities, however, estimates the death toll at around 130,000.

The international community and the UN have called for an end to the war, warning of an impending humanitarian catastrophe as millions face famine and death due to food shortages. The conflict has spread to 13 of Sudan’s 18 states.