SAF and RSF don't represent legitimate rule for Sudan, US says

The US State Department declared on Tuesday that the leaders of both warring factions in Sudan's civil conflict are not authorized to govern the nation. Tommy Pigott, a spokesman for the State Department, asserted that neither the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), nor their respective commanders, embody legitimate, constitutional authority over Sudan.

According to Pigott, these factions rule through the use of force alone. He emphasized that the conduct of each leader of the opposing factions disqualifies them from governing the country. The United States aims to restore peace and return power to the Sudanese populace. The US has been intensifying pressure on the warlords, specifically General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, head of the SAF, and General Mohamed Dagalo, who leads the RSF.

Pigott stated that both the US and President Trump are prepared to collaborate with any entity committed to peace in Sudan. Meanwhile, the US is working to escalate the consequences of ongoing conflict for all involved parties and the entities fueling the violence. The UN General Assembly convened in New York on Tuesday, but the US had not yet issued a visa for General Al Burhan, who was supposed to address the UN on behalf of his country.

Despite war crimes allegations against him, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the delay in issuing the visa. Guterres urged the host country to fulfill its obligations under the headquarters agreement and promptly grant the visa. The UN Secretariat has communicated the matter to US authorities and continues to engage with them.

Pigott noted that neither the SAF nor the RSF have demonstrated a genuine commitment to an immediate cease-fire. Instead, they have escalated combat operations and drone strikes, many of which result in civilian casualties. The State Department has repeatedly urged the two factions to accept a humanitarian cease-fire without preconditions and to engage in inclusive political dialogue aimed at transitioning to a civilian government.

These measures are crucial for achieving a durable peace in Sudan. The civil war, which has claimed the lives of many and severely damaged the country's economy, has persisted for some time. International efforts to bring an end to the conflict have faced significant challenges in achieving a lasting cessation of hostilities. Both generals have been accused of war crimes and face sanctions from the US and other nations.

Guterres described the situation in Sudan as "absolutely horrible" during a recent statement, calling for accountability from countries supplying weapons to the conflict.