Sudan’s Armed Forces chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has made it clear that he will not entertain any peace proposals that do not include the disarmament of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). During a recent address to military commanders, Al-Burhan emphasized that dismantling the RSF is essential for any meaningful resolution to the ongoing conflict, stating, “Any solution that does not include dismantling these militias is one we will not consider,” according to Sudan’s state media.
In addition to his demands regarding the RSF, Al-Burhan also called for replacing the current Sudanese flag with the old tricolor used after the country gained independence. “We want to restore Sudan’s old flag with its three colors, the one raised by our fathers and grandfathers at independence,” he added.
The independence-era flag, adopted in 1956, is a horizontal tricolor of blue, yellow, and green, reflecting the country’s natural geography. The current flag, adopted in 1970 after a military coup, features red, white, and black horizontal stripes with a green triangle, colors associated with Arab nationalism.
Recent Military Setbacks
Al-Burhan’s remarks come in the wake of significant military setbacks for the Sudanese Armed Forces as they on Monday lost control of Babanusa, a key city in West Kordofan, following what the RSF described as a “pre-emptive” operation. This loss marks the last stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces in the region, following the earlier fall of El Fasher in North Darfur. Currently, the RSF controls all of Darfur and parts of Kordofan, while the armed forces maintain authority over the capital, Khartoum, and other regions.
The ongoing conflict has triggered one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, displacing over 13 million people and leaving at least half of the population facing hunger. Clashes across the Kordofan region have forced thousands to flee into makeshift camps, exacerbating the situation, with the UN labeling this displacement crisis as the largest in the world.
International Efforts Stalled
International efforts to halt the fighting have stalled, though the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, known as the Quad, have proposed a three-month humanitarian truce followed by political talks. However, Gen Al-Burhan has alternated between dismissing the proposal as the “worst” he has seen and cautiously endorsing Washington’s involvement despite criticising US envoy Massad Boulos, indicating a hardening stance against compromise.
As Sudan grapples with escalating violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis, General Al-Burhan’s insistence on RSF disarmament and a return to the old flag highlights the complexities of the conflict. The path to peace remains fraught with challenges, and the need for a comprehensive solution has never been more urgent.
