Al-Burhan: Our Goal Is to Defeat RSF and Retake All of Sudan

KHARTOUM – Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said the armed forces’ objective was to defeat the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and restore control over all Sudanese territory, while rejecting what he described as pressure and political blackmail.

Speaking on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the launch of the “We Have Not Forgotten You” initiative to support the health sector at Khartoum Stadium, Al-Burhan said Sudan would not accept bargaining or yield to external pressure.

He said Sudanese could not be intimidated or coerced and vowed that the army would continue its military campaign.

Al-Burhan’s remarks came amid tensions between Khartoum and Washington after the United States withheld his visa, preventing him from attending the U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York, where he had been expected to deliver Sudan’s address.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem represented the country at the meetings instead.

Responding to the visa issue, Al-Burhan said: “We do not want a visa or permission from anyone, and we will remain in this country until we die in it.”

He praised the role of Sudanese youth, pointing to their participation on the front lines as well as in sports, community activities and social media.

Al-Burhan said Sudanese were united behind the country and pledged to continue what he described as the path of defending Sudan and honoring those killed in the war.

He said the army’s central objective was to eliminate the RSF “whatever the cost” and to retake all areas of Sudan, including Darfur.

The statement came a day after the Sudanese Armed Forces announced that they had retaken Sodari in North Kordofan following what the army described as heavy fighting with the RSF.

The reported capture was part of a broader advance by the army and allied forces across western and northwestern North Kordofan.

Al-Burhan said the armed forces would continue their operations and argued that Sudan did not need permission from any external party to pursue what he described as the defense of the country.