Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Sudan’s rival generals signal fight till the end: FT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Financial Times
  • 20 Apr 2023 14:12
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

Two of Sudan's former allies are now describing themselves as criminals with a vow to fight till the end.

  • x
  • Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti (left), and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (center) at the signing of the framework agreement in December 2022. (AP)
    Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti (left), and Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (center) at the signing of the framework agreement in December 2022. (AP)

In a report by the Financial Times on Thursday, Sudan's battling generals branded each other "criminals" for civilian deaths, intensifying a verbal war that suggested there was little room for compromise in their fight for Africa's third-largest country.

Sudan's vice president and commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemedti' Dagalo, accused his opponent of leading a "radical Islamist gang" seeking to establish a military dictatorship, while accusing the country's armed forces of targeting hospitals and non-military targets.

 “We’re ready for him to hit us, but not the civilians,” Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, told the Financial Times from Khartoum. “We ask God that we gain control and arrest him to hand him over to justice.”

Asked if his forces would prevail, Hemedti replied: “We have the readiness, and now we’re on the battlefield. The battlefield will define everything.”

Separately, his opponent Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the country’s de facto president, accused RSF forces of indiscriminate violence. “A large part of [Hemedti’s] forces is out of control,” he said, adding that they were responsible for widespread looting in Khartoum and the western Darfur region.

Neither will stop short of outright victory

Burhan accused Hemedti of inciting a diplomatic incident by "kidnapping" a group of Egyptian soldiers who were in Sudan on official business as part of joint armed forces training, according to the Financial Times. He also claimed that they had killed World Food Programme staff and attacked a US Embassy convoy.

Related News

US to sanction Sudan over alleged use of chemical weapons in 2024

Former UN official Kamil Idris appointed as Sudan’s new prime minister

Hemedti insisted it was Burhan who had “spread fear among the people, guests, and diplomats”. “This is an existential conflict for both these generals,” said Kholood Khair, a Khartoum-based analyst who saw little prospect for international efforts to halt the conflict. “They will want to see it through to the end.” 

Chidi Odinkalu of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University said neither man would stop short of outright victory. “One of those two people will not continue in power.”

Attempts to call a ceasefire to bring in humanitarian aid have failed since fighting erupted on Saturday, with each side accusing the other of bad faith.

Burhan and Hemeti were once allies who banded together in 2019 to depose Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled Sudan for 30 years. Since then, and particularly after the 2021 putsch that resulted in the removal of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, they have formed an uneasy alliance, with both parties participating in on-again, off-again talks with civilian leaders ostensibly aimed at steering the country towards democracy.

“The army and the RSF were equally complicit in the country’s most recent political crime: the 2021 coup,” said Amjed Farid, a former Hamdok adviser. “Their current conflict is a battle over the spoils.”

Hemedti open to a ceasefire

In recent months, a schism appeared inevitable, as Burhan sought to incorporate the RSF into the regular armed forces as part of the civilian deal, a move that threatened to neutralize Hemedti's independent power base, according to the Financial Times.

Hemedti stated that he was not opposed to incorporating the RSF into the regular armed forces in principle. "The RSF has a specific role, and the RSF has not declined the merger," he said, accusing Burhan of refusing to implement the so-called framework agreement, which was supposed to pave the way for civilian rule.

While Burhan claimed Hemedti was attempting a "power grab," the paramilitary leader said he was open to a cease-fire. "We have no objection to the fight being stopped," he said. "However, Burhan will not stop."

According to the Financial Times, despite their military backgrounds and use of violence, both men have sought to present themselves as democrats, insisting that once they have won, the transition to civilian rule can be resumed.

  • Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
  • Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
  • Sudan
  • Sudanese armed forces
  • Hemedti
  • Rapid Support Forces

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS