Sudanese army chief vows to defeat RSF, dismisses no-fly zone rumors

Sudanese army chief and Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Monday vowed to defeat the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and restore security nationwide, urging Sudanese citizens to ignore reports about possible sanctions against Sudan.

Al-Burhan made the remarks at a graduation ceremony for military cadets at Khartoum's Police Sciences and Law College, according to a statement released by the Sovereignty Council.

"We assure the Sudanese people that the armed forces, backed by other regular forces, are moving toward restoring security and stability across the country," al-Burhan said.

Referring to the RSF, he said the paramilitary group would "be defeated, and citizens will return to their areas and villages to resume their normal lives."

Sudan has been engulfed by a war between the army and the RSF since April 2023 -- a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced 13 million others, according to UN and international estimates.

"Ongoing talk of possible sanctions against Sudan will not affect us or weaken our resolve," al-Burhan said, adding that the country's destiny was "in God's hands."

He also called on the Sudanese people to ignore claims by "malicious actors" regarding the imposition of a no-fly zone over Sudan, vowing to continue what he called the "battle for dignity" until "every inch of Sudanese land" is liberated.

In recent days, reports have emerged about a possible US proposal to impose a no-fly zone over parts of Sudan controlled by the army and the RSF.

JUBA PEACE AGREEMENT

On the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, al-Burhan said the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Sovereignty Council Deputy Chairman Malik Agar, had joined the army with all its forces.

Al-Burhan went on to urge other armed factions to follow suit.

Khartoum signed a peace agreement with armed groups belonging to the Sudan Revolutionary Front in 2020.

The agreement did not include the Sudan Liberation Army led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur or the SPLM-N led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu.