RSF Commander Vows to continue fighting as Sudan war drags on

Commander of the Rapid Support Forces Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo,widely known as Hemetti,has reaffirmed his commitment to continuing military operations against the Sudanese Army while insisting that his forces remain open to ending the conflict.

Speaking to officers of the Rapid Support Forces at an undisclosed location on Wednesday,Hemetti blamed Sudan’s military leadership for prolonging the war and undermining peace efforts.

He said the RSF had consistently sought an end to the fighting since the conflict erupted in April 2023 but questioned whether a ceasefire could succeed if only one side agreed to halt hostilities.

“By God,we in the RSF,do not want this to continue; we want to stop the war today before tomorrow,” Hemetti said. “But can a war stop from one side only?”

The RSF commander argued that his willingness to engage in negotiations had been wrongly interpreted by Army leaders as a sign of weakness or exhaustion. According to Hemetti,the RSF has expanded significantly since the start of the war,growing from what he described as 143,000 disciplined soldiers to about 450,000 fighters.

He claimed the increase reflected growing public support for the paramilitary group,while accusing the Sudanese army of depending on mercenaries and factions linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Hemetti also suggested his forces were prepared for a prolonged conflict if peace efforts fail. “It is unknown how long this war will last. They have mentioned 33 years; we tell them keep going for 40,we have no problem,” he stated.

The RSF leader launched fresh attacks on Sudan’s military leadership,accusing them of acting as a front for extremist groups,including ISIS and the Muslim Brotherhood.

He further accused the army of targeting civilians and infrastructure,while claiming the RSF had exercised restraint despite having the military capacity to push government forces as far as Port Sudan. Hemetti said his ultimate objective was to establish a national army free from political or ideological control. He also promised improved administrative services in RSF-controlled territories,including efforts to establish governance structures focused on development,healthcare and education. In addition,he pledged greater support for wounded fighters and the education of children whose parents have been killed during the conflict in Sudan.