Sudan’s Sovereign Council leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has declared that a return to pre-war dynamics with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is unfeasible. Speaking on the 69th anniversary of Sudan’s independence, al-Burhan stressed the need for an enduring resolution to the conflict.
Al-Burhan affirmed his willingness to support “any genuine initiative” aimed at ending the war and ensuring civilians’ safe return to their homes. However, he categorically rejected the RSF’s reintegration into Sudanese society, labeling the group as perpetrators of widespread violence and displacement.
The conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, has devastated the country. Nearly 25,000 lives have been lost, over 10 million people displaced, and millions face famine. Fighting has engulfed 13 of Sudan’s 18 states, leaving infrastructure in ruins and civilians in dire need.
Despite mediation attempts by international actors, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, a ceasefire remains elusive, with both the Sudanese army and RSF trading blame for stalled negotiations.