Sudan Army Chief Appears in Khartoum After Siege Claim, Vows to “Eradicate” RSF

Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, made a rare public appearance at military headquarters in Khartoum on Sunday, marking his first visit to the site since the army claimed to have broken a prolonged siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Al Jazeera reports.

The visit comes amidst fierce fighting and accusations of atrocities on both sides.

Al-Burhan, accompanied by senior military officials, lauded the “resilience and sacrifices” of soldiers who defended the General Command for 20 months. He vowed to “eradicate” the RSF and pursue its fighters “in every corner of Sudan.” He also praised the ongoing operations by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in other key areas, including Omdurman, Bahri, and el-Fasher, where intense clashes have recently been reported.

The SAF’s announcement on Friday that it had successfully lifted the RSF blockade of Khartoum and reclaimed parts of the city is being seen as a potential turning point in the nearly two-year conflict. However, the RSF has dismissed the army’s claims as “propaganda” intended to bolster morale.

This development follows the army’s recent recapture of Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira state, which had been under RSF control for over a year. Disturbingly, reports have emerged of alleged ethnic killings carried out by military forces after the city’s takeover.

The RSF has been facing severe accusations, including allegations of genocide by the United States, for various abuses committed during the ongoing conflict. The fighting has led to a humanitarian crisis with widespread displacement and suffering.

Al-Burhan’s appearance also comes after the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) strongly condemned an attack on a hospital in el-Fasher in the Darfur region that resulted in the deaths of dozens. Local and international rights groups have repeatedly documented attacks by the RSF on displacement camps and other facilities, leading to numerous civilian casualties.

According to local authorities, more than 5,000 people have been killed or injured since the RSF began its offensive to seize control of el-Fasher in May of last year. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides trading accusations and continuing military operations across the country.