Sudan's army chief will support peace if it RSF ends 'occupation'

The head of Sudan's army said on Thursday that he supported efforts to bring an end to a devastating war in his country as long as they brought an end to the "occupation" of territory by the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In an address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan also said countries in the region were providing funding, weapons and mercenaries to the RSF, though he did not name any country.

"We in Sudan's government are ready to engage in any initiative that ends this war whenever this initiative supports national ownership of the solution and ends the occupation by the rebel militia of various regions," Burhan said, in reference to the RSF.

He said the army-backed government would not accept participation of any country that supported the RSF in a peace process, and that any such process must include the RSF laying down its arms and a comprehensive political settlement.

"We are proceeding to defeat and dislodge these aggressors, no matter how much assistance and support they find," he said.

Burhan's comments came after the army launched a push on Thursday to regain ground in Sudan's capital Khartoum with heavy artillery fire and air strikes.

The army spurned U.S.-led talks in Switzerland last month aimed at improving humanitarian access and charting a course towards a ceasefire in Sudan.

The army objected to the involvement in the talks of the United Arab Emirates, which has provided material support to the RSF, according to reports that U.N. experts say are credible.

The UAE has denied sending weapons to the RSF.

In his address on Thursday, Burhan also said the army-backed government was doing what it could to make sure those in need received relief.

Aid workers have said that the government and the army have often held up humanitarian aid, while the RSF has looted aid supplies. 

(Reuters)