Sudan: RSF Leader Hemedti Softens Tone Toward Egypt, Offers Dialogue Amid Border Tensions

In a rare public address delivered from Darfur, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—commonly known as Hemedti—extended an unexpected olive branch to Egypt, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics after months of hostility.

“We respect our Egyptian neighbors, and any problem can be solved through dialogue,” Hemedti declared before his troops, softening previous accusations that Cairo was fueling the Sudanese Army’s war efforts.

The speech comes days after RSF forces reportedly captured the Oweinat border triangle, a strategic junction bordering Sudan, Libya, and Egypt. Hemedti claimed the area would now serve as a bulwark against terrorism, smuggling, and human trafficking, framing the RSF’s presence as a force for regional stability.

Regional Realignment or Tactical Rebranding?

While reiterating his resolve against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Hemedti blamed unnamed “criminals” for trying to sow discord between RSF and neighboring countries. His overture to Egypt marks a notable departure from past rhetoric, which had accused Cairo of militarily supporting SAF.

The RSF chief also signaled openness to reconciliation with key rebel leaders previously aligned with the army:

“We have no issue with Minni Minnawi or Jibril Ibrahim,” he said, referring to the heads of the Sudan Liberation Movement and Justice and Equality Movement. “If they come to us today, they are welcome.”

Humanitarian Crisis and Internal Promises

As Sudan’s civil war enters its third year, with millions displaced and humanitarian needs surging, Hemedti pledged to facilitate aid access in Darfur and vowed to pay RSF troops the wages owed since April 2023.

Yet, even amid calls for regional diplomacy, Hemedti maintained a defiant tone toward Sudan’s military leadership, promising continued resistance and ultimate victory.

The gesture toward Egypt—if genuine—could mark the beginning of a strategic recalibration by the RSF, one aimed at reducing its diplomatic isolation as the war drags on.