By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Sunday visited the strategic military headquarters in central Khartoum, marking his first appearance there since government forces claimed to have ended a months-long siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Accompanied by senior military officers, Burhan commended the “resilience and sacrifices” of soldiers who defended the General Command for 20 months of conflict with the RSF. He vowed to “eradicate” the paramilitary group, led by his former ally, and to pursue its fighters “in every corner of Sudan.”
Burhan also praised the army’s ongoing operations in other areas, including Omdurman, Bahri, and El Fasher, where intense clashes have been reported in recent days.
The General Command in Khartoum had been under siege since the conflict erupted in April 2023. On Friday, the army announced it had lifted the blockade imposed by the RSF and regained control over parts of the city, potentially marking a turning point in the nearly two-year-long war.
However, the RSF dismissed the army’s claims as “propaganda” designed to boost morale.
On the same day, an advisor to the RSF leader announced his resignation, citing the paramilitary’s targeting of civilians in its operations.
The war, which began as a power struggle between the army and the RSF, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Both sides have traded accusations over the crisis. The RSF alleges that the army is receiving foreign backing, particularly from Egypt, while the Sudanese government accuses the RSF of ties to external supporters, including the United Arab Emirates.
