In a rare and carefully worded speech delivered to his troops in Darfur, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, extended an unexpected olive branch to neighboring Egypt, signaling a possible easing of tensions between Khartoum and Cairo.
“We respect our Egyptian brothers. Whatever problems exist can be resolved through dialogue,” Hemedti said, in stark contrast to his earlier accusations that Egypt had supported the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) with military assistance.
Speaking from an undisclosed location in war-torn Darfur, the RSF chief suggested that “criminal elements” were working to sabotage Sudan’s relations with its neighbors, but emphasized that the RSF seeks peaceful regional ties. He specifically highlighted the strategic capture of the Oweinat triangle — a border area shared with Egypt and Libya — as a move that would help counter terrorism, smuggling, and human trafficking.
“The RSF has no hostility toward any neighboring country,” he said.
This statement marks a notable shift in the RSF’s external posture, as the civil war with the SAF — ongoing since April 2023 — continues to devastate the country and displace millions.
Hemedti also pledged to pay back wages owed to RSF fighters and vowed to ensure humanitarian access in Darfur. In a message to rival armed groups currently aligned with the army, he added: “We have no issues with Minni Minnawi or Jibril Ibrahim. If they come to us today, they are welcome.”
The speech comes as observers watch for signs of potential political realignment in Sudan’s fractured landscape. While the conflict remains unresolved, Hemedti’s call for regional dialogue could signal a new diplomatic front in the RSF’s strategy.