Sudan's paramilitary RSF chief says war with army is not over

Sudan's RSF leader vows to return to Khartoum despite army pushback, escalating devastating two-year-old war.

The leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, said on Sunday (March 30, 2025) that his war against the army was not over and his forces would return to Khartoum despite being largely driven out of the capital.

It was Mr. Dagalo's first comment since the RSF were pushed back from most parts of Khartoum last week by the army in the latest development in Sudan's devastating two-year-old war.

Mr. Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, conceded in an audio message on Telegram that his forces had left the capital last week as the army consolidated its gains.

"It's true that in the past few days there was a withdrawal by forces [from Khartoum] to reposition in Omdurman. This was a tactical decision made by the leadership. It was a collective decision," Mr. Dagalo said.

However, he vowed to return to Khartoum "stronger, more powerful and victorious".

His comments came as the army continued to consolidate, taking control on Saturday (March 29, 2025) of a major market in Omdurman, Khartoum's twin city, which the RSF had previously used to launch attacks.

The army already controlled most of Omdurman, home to two big military bases. It appears intent on securing the entire capital area, which is made up of the three cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri, divided by branches of the River Nile. The RSF still hold some territory in Omdurman.