The Sudanese army, in a statement, explained that the ‘Rapid Support Forces have continued to attack the city of Babnusa despite announcing a truce, which it described as a ‘political and media maneuver aimed at misleading regional and international public opinion, and covering up their field movements and the flow of external support.’ It confirmed that ‘the rebellion’s announcement of the truce is nothing but a cover for military movements that it said exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the country,’ stressing that it will not allow the exploitation of the humanitarian situation in any military activities or movements that threaten civilians and complicate the humanitarian scene.
The statement added that ‘the latest attack was a continuation of the Rapid Support Forces’ attempts to breach the truce it announced itself,’ confirming that the armed forces ‘dealt with the assault firmly in defense of the city and its inhabitants.’ The Sudanese army reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians and continuing its operations to thwart any military movements aimed at destabilizing security and stability in conflict areas.
The Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, emphasized yesterday, Monday, the necessity of reshaping the Sudanese state on genuine foundations. Al-Burhan stated that his country ‘will not accept any solution that does not dismantle the Rapid Support Forces and disarm them,’ affirming that ‘there is suffering and tragedy, especially in El Fasher.’ He added that ‘the only solution in Sudan is the removal of militias,’ pointing out that all Sudanese have tasted the bitterness of war, and called on any Sudanese capable of bearing arms to join us in fighting the militia.
In April 2023, violent and widespread clashes erupted between the Sudanese army forces and the Rapid Support Forces in various regions of Sudan, as both parties attempt to control vital headquarters. The disputes between the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, became public after signing the ‘framework agreement’ that founded the transitional period between the military component, which includes the army forces and the Rapid Support Forces, agreeing to the army’s withdrawal from politics and handing power to civilians.
Dagalo accused the Sudanese army of ‘planning to remain in power and not handing over authority to civilians,’ following the army’s demands to integrate the Rapid Support Forces under the armed forces’ banner, while the army considered the Rapid Support Forces’ movements a ‘rebellion against the state.’ The war has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of about 13 million people, some to neighboring countries, and has caused a humanitarian crisis considered one of the worst in the world, according to the United Nations and the African Union.
