RSF Pledges to Preserve Sudan’s Unity

Sudanese refugees cross the border to Chad. (Reuters file photo)
Sudanese refugees cross the border to Chad. (Reuters file photo)
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RSF Pledges to Preserve Sudan’s Unity

Sudanese refugees cross the border to Chad. (Reuters file photo)
Sudanese refugees cross the border to Chad. (Reuters file photo)

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.



Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
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Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Friday that Iraq has received explicit threats from Israel, adding that the country’s armed forces have been instructed by the prime minister to prevent any attacks originating from Iraqi territory.

According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed the armed forces to take action against anyone launching attacks from the country. The foreign minister emphasized that Iraq does not seek war and aims to avoid its dangers, noting that the region is “on fire” and facing “clear threats from Israel.”

The agency also reported that the Iraqi government has requested an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council to address Israeli threats. Iraq’s permanent representative to the Arab League submitted a request for a session at the level of permanent representatives of member states to confront what was described as menaces from the “Zionist entity.”

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that he had sent a message to the president of the UN Security Council urging immediate action against activities of Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Sa’ar asserted that the Iraqi government bears responsibility for any actions occurring within or emanating from its territory.

Meanwhile, Iraqi officials have expressed pessimism about the outcome of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Nevertheless, they emphasized Baghdad’s commitment to supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.

Speaking at the American University Forum in Duhok on Friday, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani highlighted that the challenges facing Iraq have fundamentally changed since October 7.

He described the current situation in the Middle East as a “second Nakba”, stressing that the challenges stem from the failure of the international system, which he described as “ambiguous.”

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid stated that Iraq would play its role in promoting peace in the Middle East and expressed his full support for efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Türkiye.

Speaking at the Duhok Forum, Rashid said that Iraq and the region are facing circumstances that require all parties to closely monitor the situation and find appropriate solutions to ongoing problems, emphasizing the need for lasting peace and security.

Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, called for Iraq to remain neutral in the conflict, saying: “The crises in the region and the scenes of war in Lebanon and Gaza are tragic. We hope this suffering will come to an end.”

“We are all awaiting changes following the US presidential election. All indications suggest that a Trump administration will adopt a different approach compared to President Biden’s policies,” he added.

The Iraqi government has stated that under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with the United States, Washington is responsible for “deterring and responding to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.”

According to media reports, the US has informed Baghdad that Israeli military strikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless Baghdad prevents Iran-backed factions from launching attacks against Israel.