Khartoum: Sudan's Sovereignty Council chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced that military forces would be excluded from the nation's ongoing dialogue process, effectively ruling out any involvement of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the governance of Sudan following the end of the ongoing conflict. Burhan made these remarks during a media forum in Khartoum, emphasizing the state's commitment to the outcomes of the national dialogue aimed at benefiting the Sudanese populace.
According to Anadolu Agency, Burhan stated that the dialogue efforts are focused on establishing a Sudanese state grounded in justice and equality principles, strictly involving political and civilian entities, without any military presence. He addressed a proposed arms embargo anticipated for discussion at the UN Security Council, asserting that such a measure would neither pass nor impact the Sudanese army's battlefield stance.
Burhan was firm in his declaration that no armed group would gain leverage through force, ensuring that the state would not accommodate militias post-conflict. He particularly singled out the RSF, attributing human rights violations to the group, and stressed that they would have no place in Sudan's future governance structure.
He reiterated his commitment to the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, a 2023 agreement facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the US, which serves as the foundation for any potential security or humanitarian negotiations between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF.
In addition, Burhan mentioned an open invitation to US officials to visit Sudan to evaluate the situation, noting the absence of any response thus far and extending the invitation once again.
In defense of the military's actions on October 25, 2021, Burhan argued that the events did not constitute a coup but rather a corrective measure for the revolution. He criticized former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's initial administration for failing to construct a functional state and accused them of prioritizing political party empowerment over institutional integrity. Burhan also claimed that Hamdok had consented to disband his government in favor of establishing a more effective administration.
Reflecting on the early stages of the conflict, Burhan recounted the fall of several military positions to the RSF and the army's subsequent efforts to supply troops at the General Command headquarters with essential supplies via air.
The backdrop of Burhan's statements is a period of heightened international diplomatic activity aimed at resolving Sudan's conflict. A delegation from the International Quintet, including representatives from the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Arab League, European Union, and the United Nations, concluded a visit to Khartoum. During their stay, they engaged in discussions with Burhan and other officials to foster a political resolution and reaffirmed their support for Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Sudan has been embroiled in conflict between the army and the RSF since April 2023, resulting in significant casualties and displacements.