Sudan, al Burhan: We will use lethal force if the rebels do not surrender

The head of the Sovereign Transitional Council and commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Abdel Fattah al Burhan, yesterday made his second public appearance since the outbreak of the conflict on April 15, threatening to resort to the "lethal" use of force if the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will not surrender.

"We have not yet used lethal force but if the RSF insists we will use it," al Burhan said during a visit to the Sudanese military in various areas of the capital Khartoum. "Our main forces are still on the ground, contrary to what is claimed in the media," he added, confirming that the army fully controls "all military sites" in the country. Today is the second public appearance by Al Burhan since the outbreak of fighting between the army and the RSF on 15 April. On May 17, the army released a video clip showing Burhan reconnoitering inside the army general command headquarters in Khartoum.