While clashes have continued for months between the Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hamidti, the latter emphasized that his forces were compelled to engage in the war. In a speech addressed to the Sudanese on the occasion of the sixty-eighth anniversary of the country's independence, which he posted on his X account on Monday, he stated, "The army must acknowledge that it has lost the war."
He also pointed out that his forces do not seek power by force and do not intend to replace the army. He said, "We want to form a professional army that does not interfere in politics and is subject to oversight." He stressed that his only goal is "to establish a democratic rule," reiterating his commitment to civilian governance.
Additionally, he regarded that the Rapid Support Forces were forced into war due to their commitment to the political process, according to him. He confirmed that he engaged in negotiations and adhered to the decisions from the Jeddah negotiations and the IGAD summit to reach a comprehensive solution. Furthermore, he expressed confidence that the war would soon end in favor of the Sudanese people, stating, "We are determined to pursue the coup plotters," as he put it.
These statements came after the Rapid Support Forces solidified their control over Al-Jazirah State last week, as well as gaining control over four states in the Darfur region out of five, along with dominating vast parts of Khartoum and the Kordofan region. They also followed the unsuccessful or postponed efforts by IGAD to bring Burhan and Hamidti together to discuss ways to reach a resolution in the country after the war erupted in 2023. It is noteworthy that the fighting between the two military forces erupted after weeks of tension due to disagreements over plans to integrate the Rapid Support Forces into the army, at a time when military and civilian parties were finalizing a politically supported process.
