The brutal conflict tearing Sudan apart is nowhere near an end. In a defiant new audio message, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) , has warned that his paramilitary group is prepared to fight for decades against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
More alarmingly, he revealed that RSF fighters remain deployed around the strategic, army-controlled capital, Khartoum, waiting to strike again. Here is what you need to know about this major development.
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What Hemedti Said (Verified)
In a verified message from late February 2025, Hemedti directly addressed his troops and the international community:
1. Long War: “We are ready for a war that lasts 20 years or more. Our resolve is unbroken.”
2. Strategic Positioning: He confirmed RSF units are encircling Khartoum from three directions—north, east, and south—while the SAF holds the city center and key military headquarters.
3. No Negotiation Without Gains: Hemedti dismissed current ceasefire talks, stating diplomacy will only succeed after “facts on the ground change.”
Why This Matters
1. A Shift to Attrition Warfare
Until recently, both sides sought a quick military knockout. Hemedti’s “decades” rhetoric signals the RSF is now digging in for a protracted, genocidal-scale conflict—similar to Somalia or Afghanistan. This means more civilian displacement, famine, and regional instability.
2. Khartoum Remains the Pivot Point
The capital is the war’s ultimate prize. The RSF controls much of western Sudan (Darfur) and parts of Khartoum’s suburbs (like Bahri and Omdurman’s periphery), but the SAF holds the presidential palace, airport, and key bridges. By admitting his forces are outside the city, Hemedti acknowledges they cannot currently take the center—but neither can the army clear the perimeter.
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3. Regional Spillover Risks
· Chad & Libya: RSF receives alleged cross-border supplies. A decades-long war would turn eastern Chad into a permanent combat zone.
· South Sudan: Dependent on Sudanese oil pipelines, a prolonged war risks economic collapse in Juba.
· Red Sea: Foreign powers (Russia, UAE, Saudi, Iran) will deepen proxy involvement.
Current Military Snapshot (March 2025)
Factor RSF SAF
Control of Khartoum Suburbs & supply routes City center & airport
Darfur Majority control Limited pockets
Air power None (ground only) Drones & fighter jets
Foreign support Accused UAE backing Iran drones, Egypt advisors
Source: ACLED & UN Panel of Experts reports, Feb 2025.
What Comes Next?
· Siege warfare: Expect the RSF to tighten its ring around Khartoum, cutting food and fuel to army-held areas.
· Battles for El Fasher: The last SAF stronghold in Darfur will be a major test of RSF staying power.
· Famine escalation: UN warns that 25 million Sudanese need aid. A decades-long war would make this the world’s largest hunger crisis.
Conclusion: The World Is Forgetting Sudan at Its Peril
Hemedti’s latest message is not empty propaganda—it is a strategic roadmap. The RSF will outlast international attention, hoping to wear down both the army and global patience. For civilians trapped in Khartoum and Darfur, “decades of war” is a death sentence.
What you can do:
· Follow verified updates from Sudan War Monitor and ACLED.
· Share this post to keep Sudan visible.
· Pressure governments to reinstate a meaningful arms embargo.
Disclaimer: War dynamics change rapidly. This post reflects verified information as of March 2025. For breaking updates, check reliable sources like Reuters, BBC, and local Sudanese journalists.
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