Sudan's Army Chief Rejects Talks with RSF and Promises Decisive Victory

The Sudanese Army Chief has flatly rejected any discussions with the opposing paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and vowed to defeat them decisively. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's words on Monday come after many months of heavy combat between the two sides, effectively putting an end to hopes of a truce in the war-torn country. "We do not negotiate with traitors, we do not negotiate with anyone who has betrayed the Sudanese people," Burhan stated to applauding soldiers at Port Sudan's Flamingo Base on the Red Sea shore.

The violence, which has already cost thousands of lives, began in mid-April when tensions between the two sides rose owing to a power struggle between Burhan and his former deputy, now RSF leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. "We dedicate all of our time to this war and ending this rebellion," Burhan said, claiming that RSF members are "completely exhausted; just a little effort and they will be finished."

His speech came just a day after the RSF head allegedly signalled willingness for discussions and a long-term truce, and after Burhan left Khartoum for the first time since the crisis began. He claimed that his forces had received foreign aid and blamed his evacuation from the city on an air and naval military operation in which two soldiers were killed.

Over four million people have been displaced as a result of the intensification of violence, with roughly a million fleeing to neighbouring countries. The UN warned earlier this month that millions of people in Sudan are starving and on the verge of famine. "Farmers are running out of time to plant crops to feed themselves and their neighbours." Medical supplies are running out. "The situation is out of control," said a joint statement issued by UN agencies on August 15th.