Hemetti offers peace in exchange for Sudanese army leadership change
July 28, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hametti,” expressed his readiness to bring an end to the war in Sudan on one condition – the removal of the current army leadership.
After weeks of speculation surrounding his whereabouts, Hemetti appeared in a recorded video for the first time since the conflict began.
RSF’s social media platforms released a five-minute video clip featuring Hemetti riding in a Land Cruiser military vehicle, donning his official uniform with the rank of Lieutenant General. Though looking healthy, he appears to have lost some weight and is seen holding a stick in his hand.
Since the outbreak of the war on April 15, Hemetti had largely remained out of public view, except for a brief appearance in a video clip during a troop inspection near the presidential palace on May 2. He also conducted phone interviews with TV channels. Subsequently, he ceased direct interviews and instead released audio recordings, raising doubts about their authenticity and fuelling speculation about his fate.
In his speech, surrounded by his fighters, Hemetti offered an apology to the Sudanese people for the tragedy inflicted by this “cursed war imposed by the remnants of the former regime.”
He further sent a clear message to the Sudanese Armed Forces, asserting that a swift resolution could only be achieved by replacing “the corrupt leadership” within the army command.
He hinted at the possibility of reaching an agreement within 72 hours if this condition is met.
Talks in Jeddah have stalled due to the Sudanese army’s insistence on the withdrawal of RSF fighters from Khartoum to cantonment sites outside the capital, a demand that Hemetti’s delegation rejects.
Hemetti vehemently rejected recent statements made by Yasir Alatta, Assistant Commander in Chief of the army, who expressed determination to crush the RSF forces and expel them from the capital.
In response, Hemetti told Alatta, “It is better for you to avoid making meaningless statements.”
The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) also lashed out at Alatta, refuting his claims of an alliance between the pro-democracy coalition and the RSF leader.
Hemetti distanced his group from the violations committed against civilians by RSF fighters, despite their claims about restoring democracy in Sudan.
“There are no thieves among us. We are clean, honest, and sincere. We are not thieves,” he asserted, adding they are fighting the remnants of the former regime and thieves alike.
Accusing army leaders of colluding with former regime officials, Hemetti called for a move towards peace and reiterated his call for the removal of army commander-in-chief Lt Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
“Let us move towards peace, but al-Burhan and those hiding in the underground (of the Sudanese army command) must surrender,” he emphasized, tempering hopes for an imminent peace agreement.
(ST)