Text of the speech of the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo to the United Nations General Assembly
Text of the speech
Your Excellency, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Your Excellency, President of the United Nations General Assembly,
Your Excellencies, distinguished heads of state and government,
Honorable heads of delegations and ministers,
To my brothers and sisters, Sudanese citizens at home and abroad,
To our brave, loyal forces,
To the souls of our faithful martyrs,
It is my honor to address you today, on the occasion of the opening of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. As you know, our beloved country is still living through a tragic reality caused by the largest war in its modern history—a war ignited by the leaders of the old regime and the deep state of the Sudanese Islamist terrorist movement. This war erupted after the Sudanese people overthrew their regime through the glorious December 2018 revolution. Yet, the forces of regression and darkness used the leadership of the armed forces to resist change and obstruct the democratic transformation process by staging the coup of October 25, 2021, with regard to which we corrected our position through sincere reviews.
We are fully aware that achieving the objectives of the United Nations Charter, which align with the aspirations of our people, cannot be realized without accomplishing the democratic transition and entrenching the principles of good governance. However, the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces, in alliance with the leaders of the old regime, has continuously sought to obstruct efforts to make the political process successful, which was on the verge of completion, had it not been for their betrayal and dragging the country into a destructive war.
Based on this, we reject the participation of the leader of the October 25 coup, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as a representative of our people and country in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He led a military coup against the transitional civilian government, which resulted in a complete constitutional collapse in Sudan. This coup led to the establishment of a de facto government, which in turn collapsed with the outbreak of the war on April 15, 2023—a war that erupted as a direct consequence of our refusal to accept the coup against the civilian government and our insistence on returning to civilian rule, leading to free and fair elections.
Our rejection of granting legitimacy to the leader of the coup is based on the declarations of regional and international institutions, including the African Union, the United Nations Security Council, and the European Union, all of which previously condemned the coup, which undermined the transitional government and halted the democratic transition in Sudan. These bodies have passed resolutions condemning the coup and demanding the return of power to civilians.
Inviting the coup leader to attend the United Nations General Assembly as a representative of Sudan contradicts these positions and serves the agenda of those advocating for the ongoing war in Sudan. It also encourages military coups and the growth of dictatorships in our African continent.
The Sudanese people have a rich history of struggle against coups and authoritarian regimes. The generation of the glorious December revolution made significant strides by asserting the full legitimacy of civilian rule and resisting the October 25 coup, sacrificing hundreds of martyrs in pursuit of their legitimate aspirations before the outbreak of this catastrophic war.
The instigation of the April 15 war by the Islamic movement and its leadership within the armed forces, along with the resulting destruction, displacement, and violations, represent a criminal act that undermines the noble goals and values upon which the United Nations was founded—namely, the maintenance of international peace and security, the protection of human rights, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the promotion of sustainable development.
Therefore, we call upon the international community and United Nations institutions to support the choices of the Sudanese people, who hold the true legitimacy under international charters, and to remain neutral between the warring parties without bias or favoritism. We also urge them to punish the party that rejects dialogue and calls for the continuation and expansion of the war.
Despite our actual control of more than 75% of Sudan’s states and major cities and the broad support we receive from most societal components, we have not monopolized legitimacy for our forces. We have not rushed to form a government, unlike the army leaders who follow orders from political entities that lack constitutional legitimacy.
This session of the United Nations General Assembly is taking place amidst numerous developments and updates on the international stage, particularly concerning Sudan. These matters are all tied to the safety and security of all humanity. Throughout all this, the Rapid Support Forces has remained open to all international and regional initiatives aimed at halting hostilities and protecting civilians. The outcomes of the recent Geneva talks stand as clear evidence of our genuine desire to put an end to the suffering of our people, despite the other side’s continued defiance of international will and their perpetration of the most heinous violations, including aerial bombings on innocent civilians in rural and urban areas, causing thousands of casualties and destroying the country’s infrastructure.
During the first Geneva talks, sponsored by the United Nations, and again in the second round, our forces made unilateral commitments to address the humanitarian crisis and facilitate the delivery of aid to those in need, in coordination with the Sudanese Relief and Humanitarian Operations Agency. This ensured the provision of assistance and the coordination of humanitarian operations in areas controlled by our forces in Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, Gezira, and Sennar.
As a result of cooperation between us and the coalition of Geneva talks mediators, over 3,114 metric tons of supplies have reached approximately 300,000 people in Darfur by last month, thanks to the efforts of the “Allies for Saving Lives and Peace in Sudan” group and the diligent work of humanitarian workers on the ground. These efforts have focused on expanding emergency humanitarian access and respecting international humanitarian law. We have issued strict directives to our forces to facilitate the flow of aid without bureaucratic complications, and we have also proposed opening new corridors and roads for relief access, calling for the operation of airports in four states to meet urgent needs for medicines and technical supplies.
To further strengthen humanitarian efforts and address violations in areas under our control, we have formed a civilian protection force to address security issues and negative phenomena. In addition, the Human Rights Unit of the Rapid Support Forces continues to regulate military operations in accordance with the rules and principles of international humanitarian law. We reaffirm our readiness to fully cooperate with any steps that safeguard the lives and dignity of our people.
We have recently engaged with full seriousness and genuine intent in the Geneva talks and, before that, in the Jeddah negotiations, sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. We also reached advanced understandings during negotiations in Manama, Bahrain. However, it is evident that all these efforts were met with the armed forces’ refusal to participate or with sudden withdrawal, despite the fact that their representatives had publicly signed commitments.
In a previous address to you last year, we presented the Rapid Support Forces’ vision for resolving the crisis and ending the war, which revolves around ten principles reflecting our perspective on the solution. We proposed these for discussion among Sudanese who seek to end the war and build a state that protects human rights, achieves sustainable development, and contributes to maintaining international peace and security, as well as the noble goals upon which the United Nations was founded.
As you gather in this session to discuss the progress made in achieving the goals of the international organization, I urge you to do not forget the people of Sudan and the tragedy they are living through at the hands of a ruling faction that does not want peace and resorts to violence to rule the country. At the forefront of these individuals is General al-Burhan, who falsely speaks on behalf of Sudan despite lacking legitimacy due to the coup and the complete constitutional collapse caused by the current war in Sudan.
We reiterate our full readiness to implement a nationwide ceasefire across Sudan to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need, to provide safe passage for civilians and relief workers, and to begin serious and comprehensive talks leading to a political solution that establishes a civilian government to guide the country towards democratic transition and lasting, genuine peace.
In conclusion, I extend to you all my highest expressions of gratitude and appreciation, and I wish you success in your deliberations in the service of people and communities suffering around the world, particularly the Sudanese people, who expect your support and assistance in achieving peace, stability, and freedom.
Yours sincerely,
General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
Commander of the Rapid Support Forces
September 2024
