We won’t negotiate until army respects ceasefire agreements, says Sudan’s RSF
Mohamed Dagalo, leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group in Sudan, says his troops will not stop fighting until the country’s army adheres to ceasefire agreements.
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military head, and Dagalo have been involved in a violent power struggle that has lasted weeks.
At least 512 people have been killed and 4,193 wounded in the fighting so far. Experts say the real death toll is likely much higher given the lack of hospitals, food, and shelter.
Several ceasefire agreements negotiated by the United States, United Kingdom, United Nations (UN), and other concerned bodies have all been ignored.
RSF had described the army’s non-compliance to the halt as a thirst for war and bloodshed.
Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, Dagalo said his fighters were being “relentlessly” bombed despite the three-day extension of the truce.
He blamed al-Burhan for the violence, saying the RSF had no intentions of destroying Sudan.
According to the BBC, Dagalo said he was open to talks but the condition was that the ceasefire should hold.
“Cease hostilities. After that we can have negotiations,” he was quoted as saying.
Dagalo said he had no personal problem with al-Burhan but regarded him as a traitor for bringing into government those loyal to ousted former President Omar al-Bashir.
In 2021, tensions began to brew when al-Burhan overturned an agreement to share power with civilians. He subsequently took full control in a coup.
More details on what instigated the fight between the two warlords can be found here.
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