General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s army, expressed on Thursday his support for initiatives aimed at ending the ongoing war in Sudan, provided they halt the “occupation” of territories by the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Burhan accused regional countries of supplying funds, weapons, and mercenaries to the RSF but refrained from naming any specific nations.
“The Sudanese government is open to any initiative that resolves this conflict, as long as it upholds national sovereignty and ends the rebel militia’s occupation of various areas,” Burhan stated, referring to the RSF.
He emphasised that the military-led government would reject the involvement of any nation supporting the RSF in peace negotiations and stressed that such a process must include the RSF disarming and reaching a full political settlement.
Burhan declared that they are determined to defeat and expel the aggressors, regardless of the support they receive.
His remarks followed the army’s renewed efforts on Thursday to reclaim territory in Khartoum, marked by intense artillery bombardment and airstrikes.
Last month, the army rejected U.S.-brokered negotiations in Switzerland intended to enhance humanitarian aid and work towards a ceasefire in Sudan.
The army opposed the participation of the United Arab Emirates in the talks, citing credible reports from U.N. experts that the UAE had supplied material support to the RSF.
The UAE has denied providing weapons to the RSF. During his address on Thursday, Burhan emphasized that the army-backed government was taking steps to ensure that those in need received aid.
However, aid workers have reported that both the government and the army have delayed humanitarian assistance, while the RSF has been accused of looting aid supplies.
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