Deputy commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Abdulrahim Hamdan Daglo pledged on Tuesday to permanently eliminate remnants of the ousted regime and to hold to account anyone found guilty in violations in the country.
In a rare appearance, he declared: “Our war is against enemies of the nation who ruled for 30 years, destroyed Sudan, displaced its people and plunged them in poverty.”
“It is time to eliminate this gang for good,” he said in a video that was posted on the X platform.
Moreover, he warned that the remnants of the regime were making “dangerous” claims that the RSF’s capture of three Darfur provinces was a precursor to Sudan’s division.
“Sudan’s unity and people are a red line. We won’t allow anyone to harm them,” declared Daglo, who is the brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commonly known as Hemedti.
War broke out in Sudan between the RSF and army in mid-April. The conflict erupted over a plan to integrate the RSF and the army, four years after they worked together to oust veteran leader Omar al-Bashir during a popular uprising.
The RSF quickly seized swathes of Khartoum and supply routes running west, before gradually forcing army retreats in parts of the vast Darfur and Kordofan regions and south of the capital.
From late October the RSF took over army headquarters in Nyala, Zalingei and El Geneina, three of five Darfur state capitals.
Abdulrahim vowed that the RSF will thwart attempts to stoke strife in Darfur.
“We are working towards a united Sudan where people can live together without discrimination and marginalization,” he added.
The RSF, he continued, is responsible for protecting civilians and public and private properties. “We are up to the task in spite of the challenges,” he stressed.
Furthermore, he said the RSF “stands at an equal distance” from all segments of Darfur.
“We are fighting to end the injustice in Darfur and any region in Sudan,” Abdulrahim stated. “We will not hesitate in holding to account anyone who violates the rights of others or threatens their security and safety.”
Moreover, he called on the people of Darfur to show tolerance and forgiveness and shun hatred and discrimination to thwart the plans of those seeking strife.
He also urged refugees and the displaced to return to their homes to resume their normal lives, saying they had nothing to fear.
Turning to the armed groups in Darfur, Abdulrahim said they must assume their duties alongside the RSF in providing security and stability in the region, “which has witnessed massive suffering.”
He called on international and regional humanitarian organizations to offer needed aid to the people of Darfur, saying the RSF will ensure their safe and smooth delivery.
The US Treasury had in September imposed sanctions on Abdulrahim for dangerous violations committed during the conflict with the army in Darfur.
The RSF and its affiliated militias have been accused of being involved in the murder and forced displacement of people in west Darfur.
