Sudan's army chief asks UN to designate Rapid Support Forces as a terrorist group

KHARTOUM, Sudan

Sudan’s army chief asked the United Nations on Thursday to designate the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a terrorist group.

Addressing the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is also the chairman of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, claimed that the RSF has brought thousands of mercenaries to fight with them during the five-month-long war.

"I urge (the international community) to consider this group, the RSF, a terrorist group. We also documented that this group has brought thousands of mercenaries to fight with them, and this will lead to serious consequences in the region," said Burhan.

He also accused some regional and international countries of supporting the RSF, without naming them.

Burhan has however indicated the army’s openness to engage in negotiations according to a national dialogue between the political parties.

RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, said he is willing to end the war and work for a peaceful solution.

In a rare video address to the UN on Thursday, Hemedti accused the old regime of President Omar al-Bashir of controlling the army.

He also claimed that jihadist groups are fighting with the Sudanese Armed Forces in order to return the old regime.

More than 4 million people have been displaced and thousands killed since war broke out in Sudan in April this year.