Port sudan: There would be no peace in Sudan until the elimination of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country's Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said on Sunday. The army, under his command, has been battling the paramilitary group since 2023.

According to Anadolu Agency, Burhan, speaking to journalists at his residence in Port Sudan, emphasized that any proposal for peace that includes the RSF would merely postpone the crisis. He stated that a lasting solution involves the elimination of the RSF, though this does not necessarily mean through violent means but could involve disarmament and surrender.

Burhan highlighted the extensive destruction caused by the conflict, which has led to significant civilian casualties and material damage throughout Sudan. He stressed that the conflict has affected every Sudanese citizen and noted that the public remains united against the RSF.

Addressing international efforts to broker a ceasefire, Burhan mentioned that calls for a truce increased following the fall of El Fasher in October. He suggested that these calls coincided with attempts to allow the RSF to expand its territorial control, pointing out that there were no ceasefire proposals during the siege of El Fasher.

Burhan also mentioned that Sudan proposed Turkey or Qatar as potential mediators, though the RSF rejected the idea. He also suggested that regional countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt could play a role in mediation efforts, expressing trust in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He emphasized that the RSF and the Sudanese army are not equal forces, underlining the global consensus on this disparity. Despite UN resolutions, Burhan accused the RSF of continuing attacks and smuggling weapons into Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region.

Burhan reiterated the determination of the Sudanese people and the army to eliminate the RSF and expressed openness to peaceful solutions. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 due to disputes over unifying the military, has resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with tens of thousands killed and millions displaced.