Sudan’s al-Burhan rejects talks, vows to retake all territory from RSF

What Happened

Sudan's military chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said on Tuesday that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) would continue the "military option" until the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were removed from Sudan, rejecting negotiations and vowing to seize "every inch" of territory held by the paramilitary group. Al-Burhan made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Village 5, in the Merowe locality of northern Sudan, according to the Sudan News Agency. The war between the SAF and RSF began in April 2023 after the two leaders fell out over plans to integrate the RSF into the army; UN and international estimates say the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Al-Burhan's explicit rejection of talks while the SAF advances toward En Nahud and Al Khuway in West Kordofan risks intensifying fighting in a region where the RSF is massing forces. The same day, RSF attacks on Abu Ajal killed 10 civilians, and the IOM reported 5,500 people displaced from Blue Nile villages over three days, underscoring the human cost. The US State Department has said neither the SAF nor the RSF represents legitimate constitutional governance, even as Washington's envoy pushes for a Sudanese-led dialogue, leaving external mediation without clear leverage.

Watch For

Monitor whether the SAF's advance toward En Nahud and Al Khuway triggers a larger RSF counteroffensive or further attacks on civilians in West Kordofan, and whether the RSF responds to al-Burhan's rejection of talks. Track IOM displacement figures from Blue Nile and any follow-up from Massad Boulos or the US State Department on diplomatic tracks, especially any reaction from civilian blocs or regional mediators.