Sudan’s RSF confirms retreat from Khartoum, eyes ‘stronger’ return

Al Jazeera - Mar 30th, 2025
Open on Al Jazeera

The leader of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has announced the withdrawal of his paramilitary forces from the capital, Khartoum, as a strategic move, promising to return 'stronger and more powerful.' This retreat comes as the Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, consolidates its control over key areas in the capital, including the presidential palace and the airport. Despite the RSF's withdrawal, Hemedti dismissed any negotiations with the army and reaffirmed his commitment to continue fighting, while the army also pledged to eradicate the RSF from Sudan entirely, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the two-year civil war.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF stems from a power struggle ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule, which has resulted in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, according to the United Nations. The war has led to over 12 million people being displaced and tens of thousands of deaths, with famine declared in some areas. The strategic significance of the RSF's withdrawal and the army's gains suggest a critical phase in the conflict, with both sides showing no signs of negotiation or compromise, impacting regional stability and humanitarian conditions significantly.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and clear account of the recent developments in the Sudanese conflict, focusing on the tactical withdrawal of the RSF and the Sudanese army's consolidation of control. It effectively uses direct quotes from key leaders to convey the positions of both sides. However, the story could benefit from more diverse perspectives, including those of civilians and international observers, to provide a comprehensive view of the conflict's impact. While the article highlights the humanitarian crisis, it lacks detailed verification of the figures presented. Overall, the story succeeds in informing readers about the current situation but could enhance its impact with additional context and source diversity.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story accurately reports on the withdrawal of the RSF from Khartoum and the ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army. The claim that Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, confirmed the RSF's tactical retreat is supported by his audio message on Telegram. Furthermore, the story correctly states that the Sudanese army has consolidated gains in Khartoum and Omdurman. However, the narrative could benefit from more precise details about the extent of RSF's control in Omdurman and the specific military strategies employed by both sides. Additionally, while the story mentions the humanitarian crisis, it lacks specific data or sources to verify the figures presented, such as the number of displaced people and the death toll.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the perspectives of the RSF and the Sudanese army, providing direct quotes from leaders of both factions. This approach offers a balanced view of their respective positions. However, the article could improve by including more voices, such as those of civilians affected by the conflict or international observers, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. The absence of these perspectives might lead to an incomplete picture of the conflict's broader impact.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the developments in Sudan. The narrative logically progresses from the RSF's withdrawal to the army's consolidation of control, making it easy for readers to follow the unfolding events. The use of direct quotes from key figures adds to the clarity by providing firsthand accounts of the situation. However, the inclusion of more detailed background information could enhance reader understanding.

6
Source quality

The story relies on statements from key figures in the conflict, such as Hemedti and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, which are credible sources for their respective positions. However, the article does not cite independent sources or third-party verification for the claims made by these leaders. Including expert analysis or reports from international organizations could enhance the credibility and depth of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article clearly attributes the statements to the respective leaders of the RSF and the Sudanese army, providing transparency about the sources of information. However, it lacks transparency in terms of methodology and does not explain how the information was gathered or verified. There is also no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or biases that could affect the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/africa-file-march-27-2025-saf-liberates-khartoum-burundi-and-rwanda-tensions
  2. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2025/03/sudan-paramilitaries-vow-no-surrender-after-khartoum-setback
  3. https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250328-sudan-army-reclaims-capital-rsf-militia-loses-steam-khartoum
  4. https://www.thearabweekly.com/sudans-rsf-vows-no-retreat-after-khartoum-setback-us-promises-re-engage