The head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, Commander-in-Chief of the Army Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, vowed to hold accountable those involved in giving orders to the armed forces to evacuate their defensive positions in the city of Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira state, which opened the door for the Rapid Support Forces to take control of them.
On December 18, the Rapid Support Forces managed to take control of the city of Wad Madani and all the cities of Gezira state after the army suddenly withdrew from the entire city, and the fall of the city sparked a wave of anger and harsh criticism directed at the commander-in-chief of the army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
On December 19, the army announced the formation of a committee to investigate the withdrawal of the force from the First Infantry Division and pledged to reveal the results of the investigations to the public.
Addressing officers of the Red Sea Military Region in Port Sudan, al-Burhan said: “Every negligent and negligent person will be held accountable for what happened in Madani in Gezira state, and there is no courtesy in that.
He reiterated his assurances that the Rapid Support Forces will continue to fight until victory is achieved, adding, “We will fight to defeat and defeat the rebel militia and its supporters from the political forces that seek to rule the country through the shreds of the Sudanese people, and we tell them if you want to rule Sudan except through elections.”
He called on the army chief not to pay attention to the rumor mongers launched by what he called agents, which he said were aimed at questioning the armed forces and the Sudanese people and spreading terror and fear in the hearts of citizens.
“We assure citizens that the army will fight for the last soldier until the people of Sudan enjoy security and stability, and the armed forces do not fall,” he said.
Collaborators with the militia, referring to the RSF, vowed to pay the price, adding, “Every agent and traitor will find deterrence, decisiveness and accountability.”
Al-Burhan touched on the violations and crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces against citizens and civilian objects, saying, “We are surprised by their talk that they will protect the citizens of the areas they occupied. “The world has witnessed the terrorist militia’s atrocities against citizens and the destruction of state infrastructure,” he said.
However, Burhan announced the continuation of the negotiating process hosted by the Saudi city of Jeddah, saying that they would not sign a peace agreement that humiliates the armed forces and the Sudanese people. “There must be a ceasefire and the rebels leaving public facilities, hospitals and citizens’ homes,” he said.
He criticized unnamed political forces that he said continued to shout slogans and lies targeting national unity and the armed forces.
“When the army achieves a victory, those who collaborate with the militia spread lies that the armed forces target civilians by flying, but we confirm that the armed forces protect civilians and this is a free of them,” he said. The army confirmed that in its raids it targets enemy positions – rapid support.