RSF strongly condemns and deeply regrets the current situation within SAF

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) strongly condemns and deeply regrets the current situation within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), wherein its leadership has declined to accept 537 SAF prisoners of war in our custody. These prisoners include members of the SAF and other regular forces. Our offer to return these individuals as a gesture of goodwill during the holy month of Ramadan was unfortunately refused.

This refusal dehumanizes these individuals, abandoning them after they were captured in battle. We wish to clarify to our people, as well as to the international, regional, and local community — particularly, the families of these prisoners — the following:

- The RSF leadership ordered the release of 537 prisoners of war belonging to the SAF. In coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) — an impartial and independent international organization dedicated to humanitarian work — we sought to protect and assist victims of armed conflict, aiming to complete the procedures for the prisoners' release and their subsequent handover to the SAF, in line with international humanitarian law and principles.

- Initially, the ICRC agreed to facilitate this process and approached the SAF to finalize the transfer. However, the SAF leadership refused to accept our proposal to return their personnel as a sign of goodwill during Ramadan, as well as our previous unilateral initiatives since the current crisis began.

The refusal by the SAF leadership to reclaim their personnel demonstrates the disregard of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his corrupt co-conspirators toward the welfare of their soldiers and officers, preferring to sustain their power and use the military as a tool for advancing their own personal ambitions. It highlights their perception of these individuals as an unwelcome administrative burden both to themselves and to their extremist brethren within the National Congress Party.

Additionally, the SAF Command's prior orders to attack areas in Khartoum under RSF protection where prisoners were located led to numerous casualties, eliciting disappointment and dismay among the general public. This sentiment is further reinforced by public statements from SAF officers condemning the SAF leadership.

In contrast, the RSF asserts its unwavering dedication to human rights and compliance with international humanitarian law.

Office of the Official Spokesperson 
Rapid Support Forces