Sudan’s military chief rejects peace talks, vows to reclaim RSF-controlled territory

Sudan’s military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has rejected peace negotiations and vowed to retake all territory held by the Rapid Support Forces, signaling a hardening stance as the conflict enters three and a half years.

Speaking Tuesday at a gathering in Merowe, al-Burhan said the armed forces will pursue a “military option” until paramilitary units are cleared from the country. The commander dismissed calls for immediate mediation, choosing instead to press forward with battlefield operations.

The fighting began in April 2023 after the army and the paramilitary group clashed over plans to merge their ranks. United Nations estimates place the death toll in the tens of thousands, with around 13 million people forced from their homes.

Violence continued across multiple regions as government troops pushed into new areas. In West Kordofan state, an RSF assault killed at least 10 civilians and wounded several others, according to a local charity. The Dar Hamar Emergency Committee reported multiple civilian violations in the En Nahud countryside as army units advanced on En Nahud and Al Khuway following successes in neighboring North Kordofan.

Security conditions have also deteriorated sharply in Blue Nile state. The International Organization for Migration reported on Tuesday that more than 5,500 residents fled their villages over three days as clashes intensified.

International mediators continue to push for a political settlement. Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, stated on Monday that peace requires “through an inclusive Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led national dialogue, transition toward a civilian-led government”. The US State Department also noted last month that neither warring faction currently represents legitimate constitutional authority for the nation.