Hemedti’s Advisor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Al-Burhan is not the Target

 Hemedti’s political advisor, Youssef Ezzat
 Hemedti’s political advisor, Youssef Ezzat
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Hemedti’s Advisor to Asharq Al-Awsat: Al-Burhan is not the Target

 Hemedti’s political advisor, Youssef Ezzat
 Hemedti’s political advisor, Youssef Ezzat

The advisor to the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for political affairs, Youssef Ezzat, said that his forces partially control the general command of the Sudanese armed forces, indicating that the army commander, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, was “under house arrest”, since the start of the war in Sudan on April 15.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Hemedti’s political advisor said: “The Islamists are the ones who planned this war to achieve their goal of returning to power... This will never happen as long as the people are present and as long as there are defenders of their choices.”

On the hand, Ezzat stressed that Al-Burhan was not the RSF’s target, saying: “Al-Burhan is not the target of war... We do not target him in person, but rather his actions. He tried to monopolize power with the Islamists, by turning against his partner and the entire political process...and failed.”

He continued: “He has been under house arrest for more than two months, and he will actually be arrested later.”

According to witnesses, data and field reports, the RSF controls large parts of Khartoum.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Hemedti was injured in combat, while other reports say that he was killed.

However, Ezzat rejects these claims, saying: “Hemedti’s non-appearance in the media does not mean that he is dead. The recordings that we usually make are not to prove that he is alive or dead, but to put forward things that we deem necessary to address the public opinion and the Sudanese people.”

Ezzat also denied reports indicating that the RSF had lost its popularity and the widespread support of citizens, saying: “These are inaccurate claims.”

He stressed that there were millions of Sudanese standing behind the RSF in order to build “a unified Sudan... and the state of freedom, justice and equality.”



Siddiq al-Mahdi: Sudanese Public Unites on Need to End War

Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Siddiq al-Mahdi: Sudanese Public Unites on Need to End War

Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Siddiq al-Mahdi, Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid to Sudanese citizens suffering from the ongoing conflict.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Addis Ababa, al-Mahdi criticized the National Congress Party for manipulating its alliance with the military to advance its political goals.

Al-Mahdi said he would only engage in the political process if the party ends its connection with the military and security forces.

He highlighted a growing recognition of the need to end the war, noting a shift away from military solutions as a positive sign of Sudanese public opinion converging on the need for peace.

The Taqaddum official said this change has reduced support for the war and increased regional and international calls for its end.

Al-Mahdi warned that the war has caused a severe humanitarian crisis and poses threats to the region, neighboring countries, the Horn of Africa, and Red Sea security.

“The need to stop the war is now urgent, and we must act on this,” he said.

He praised international efforts, including the Paris and Cairo conferences and the UN's attempts to bring the warring sides together in Geneva for aid and protection.

Al-Mahdi also revealed that his coalition had proposed a plan to the military and Rapid Support Forces, focusing on humanitarian aid, political arrangements to end the war, and a transition to civilian democracy.

He stressed that the humanitarian situation cannot wait for the war to end.

“Providing aid and protecting citizens are urgent priorities. We need to act now to deliver aid, even before the war ends,” he said.

He noted that the best approach involves coordinating initiatives from various platforms, including Jeddah, IGAD, and its key member states Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, as well as Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations.

Al-Mahdi emphasized that all these entities are working on humanitarian and peace efforts.

He stated that any alignment among mediators, conflict parties, and civil components is viewed by Taqaddum as a comprehensive process for achieving peace.