Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—commonly known as Hemedti—the commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, announced that the ongoing war with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has reached a critical juncture and is now engulfing the capital, Khartoum. He declared that his forces did not intend to withdraw from the city or relinquish control of the Republican Palace, a key symbol of national authority.
Speaking via his official Telegram channel, Hemedti claimed that the SAF has lost between 70% and 80% of its aerial capabilities since the outbreak of the war in April 2023. “We are in Khartoum and will remain in Khartoum. We will not leave the Republican Palace,” he stated emphatically, framing his narrative as one of resilience and national defense. He further asserted that he would not allow Sudan to become “a hub for terrorism,” positioning the RSF as a force for stability—despite growing evidence to the contrary.
A Conflict Marred by Human Rights Violations
Hemedti’s statements come amid widespread reports of egregious violations and war crimes committed by the RSF across multiple regions in Sudan, including Darfur, Khartoum, and El-Geneina. International human rights organizations and United Nations officials have accused the RSF of engaging in indiscriminate shelling, ethnic cleansing, mass killings, and systematic sexual violence.
In West Darfur, particularly in El-Geneina, RSF-affiliated militias have been implicated in mass atrocities targeting the non-Arab Masalit community. Satellite imagery, survivor testimonies, and investigative reports have revealed the destruction of entire neighborhoods, the looting of hospitals, and the killing of civilians attempting to flee the violence.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and several humanitarian agencies have described the humanitarian situation in Sudan as “catastrophic,” with over 10 million people displaced and more than 25 million in urgent need of assistance. Reports indicate that RSF fighters have also occupied civilian homes, used schools and hospitals for military purposes, and blocked aid corridors in areas under their control.
Political Fallout & Fragile Transitions
The war began following a breakdown in negotiations over the integration of the RSF into the regular Sudanese army—a key element of a political agreement aimed at transitioning the country to civilian rule. What began as a power struggle between Hemedti and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces and head of the Sovereign Council, has since spiraled into one of the worst humanitarian and political crises in Sudan’s modern history.
Once allies who cooperated to overthrow long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019, Hemedti and al-Burhan are now locked in a violent contest for control of the country. Their rivalry has not only destroyed lives and infrastructure but also stalled hopes for a peaceful democratic transition.
International Response & Accountability
While regional and international mediators, including the African Union, IGAD, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, have repeatedly called for ceasefires and political dialogue, such efforts have largely failed to bring a durable end to the violence. Human rights groups have called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the atrocities attributed to both parties, though the RSF has faced the brunt of accusations due to the scale and severity of its actions.
As the war rages on inside Khartoum, Hemedti’s insistence on maintaining control over strategic government institutions is seen by many analysts as an effort to project dominance, despite rising international condemnation and the growing cost of war on civilians.
