In a recent audio message directed to his forces and the people of Sudan, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), addressed the recent loss of the city of Wad Madani, the capital of Sudan’s Al-Jazeera state, to the Sudanese army. The RSF had held control over the city since December 2023, but it was retaken by the army during a significant military operation on January 11, 2025. This development marks a key moment in the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which has intensified since mid-April 2023.
Dagalo acknowledged the loss, describing it as a temporary setback, asserting that while the RSF may have lost a “battle,” they have not lost the “war.” He expressed confidence in his forces’ ability to regroup and retake control of the city. “Today we lost a round, but the battle is far from over,” Dagalo declared in his speech. The RSF leader emphasized the importance of maintaining morale and discipline among his troops, urging them to focus on reorganizing and preparing for future operations.
Dagalo’s message underscored his determination to reclaim the city, which holds significant strategic importance due to its location in central Sudan. He reminded his forces of the broader goal at hand, vowing to continue their fight until their objectives are achieved. “We will reclaim every inch of Sudanian land that we have lost, and we will not rest until the final victory is ours,” Dagalo stated.
The loss of Wad Madani represents a significant victory for the Sudanese army, which has been pushing to regain control of key regions held by the RSF. The Sudanese military had previously struggled to reclaim territory from the RSF, and the recapture of Wad Madani marks an important turning point in the conflict. Following the announcement of the city’s recapture, the Sudanese army declared that they would continue their operations to clear out RSF forces from other territories.
However, Dagalo’s comments make it clear that the RSF is far from conceding defeat. He called for a renewed commitment among his fighters, focusing on unity and resilience. The conflict, which has caused significant loss of life and displacement since its outbreak in 2023, continues to devastate Sudan, and the battle for Wad Madani is likely to be just one chapter in a much larger struggle for control of the country.
As both sides regroup and prepare for what could be another round of intense fighting, the people of Sudan continue to suffer the consequences of this brutal war. With millions displaced and thousands of lives lost, the situation remains dire, and it is unclear when or how the conflict will come to an end. In the meantime, Sudan’s leadership, both military and paramilitary, continues to prepare for what will likely be a long and hard-fought battle.
