Sudan welcomes Rubio’s remarks on potential RSF terrorist designation
November 13, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s Foreign Minister Muhi al-Din Salem on Thursday welcomed remarks by his U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio regarding the conflict in Sudan, urging the world to address the situation in Kadugli, Dilling and Babanusa to prevent a repeat of the El Fasher tragedy.
Rubio said on Wednesday he would support a U.S. Senate designation of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a terrorist organization if it helped resolve the crisis. He noted the paramilitary group was committing “horrific atrocities,” including sexual violence, which must stop.
He called for efforts to halt the flow of weapons to the forces as they advance, noting that the U.S. knows which countries are arming them and acting as transit points, and intends to communicate with them.
Salem said in a press statement that he welcomed the remarks, adding that “calling things by their proper names, directing direct accusations at the RSF, and the possibility of designating it as a terrorist organization paves the way for correcting the international community’s view of what is happening in Sudan.”
He stated that the international community’s delayed response to government appeals to compel the RSF to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions, such as Resolution 2736, adopted in 2024, allowing aid into El Fasher, led to the current disaster in the city.
“We demand that the international community pay attention to the fact that the militia is practicing the same approach and besieging the cities of Dilling, Kadugli and Babanusa,” he said.
The RSF has not implemented the June 2024 U.N. resolution to withdraw fighters from El Fasher and lift the siege.
The force is currently besieging Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan and Babanusa in West Kordofan, and is seeking to reimpose a siege on El Obeid in North Kordofan.
Salem said Rubio’s acknowledgement of the RSF’s brutality and the need to cut off its arms supply sends a strong message to countries involved in the peace process that are assisting the RSF or allowing their territory to be used for the transit of weapons and mercenaries.
He stressed the military was exercising its constitutional right to protect the country and civilians, asserting that citizens fleeing RSF areas to army-controlled zones was evidence of popular support for the armed forces.
He expressed hope that Rubio’s statements would mark “a real beginning” to holding the RSF and its backers accountable.
Salem added that the government remains open to communicating with the international community to achieve peace and stability, provided it aligns with the aspirations of the Sudanese people.