President Omar al-Bashir directs soldiers to confront fighters in Darfur
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir salutes during the joint Sudan and Saudi Arabia air force drill at the Marwa air base, near Meroe north of Khartoum, on April 9, 2017. He has directed Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces to deal with ongoing ethnic conflicts in Darfur peacefully or militarily. PHOTO | ASHRAF SHAZLY | AFP
What you need to know:
- President Omar al-Bashir said establishing RSF in 2013 was the best decision he made in his 27-year rule.
- He said establishing RSF in 2013 was the best decision he made in his 27-year rule.
PARIS
President Omar al-Bashir has directed Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces to deal with ongoing ethnic conflicts in Darfur peacefully or militarily.
The president was speaking during the pass-out of 11,450 members of the RSF, the biggest in the country’s history.
“These are orders. Intervene when two people or communities are fighting. If they reconcile, that will be good. If not, do not hesitate to confront them,” Bashir said in capital Khartoum on Saturday.
“Enough wars, enough troubles and enough tribal fighting. We are ready for peace. Our doors are open and the country is big enough to accommodate all. Anyone who is not ready for reconciliation will regret as we will confront him.”
He said establishing RSF in 2013 was the best decision he made in his 27-year rule.
“The RSF secured the borders and fought human, drug and arms trafficking. They are now ready to operate anywhere in Sudan,” Bashir said.
In January, parliament passed the RSF law, integrating the unit in the country’s military.
