At a pivotal moment in the raging Sudanese conflict, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hamidti,” appeared in public with all his military pomp in front of crowds of his soldiers in the camps of “South Darfur,” cutting off the rumors that had haunted him throughout the months of war, the most famous of which was that he was “dead and buried,” before he said sarcastically: “I am not dead!”
This appearance was not just a display of the strength of a warrior, but a carefully calculated scene of a man reshaping himself as a political leader, a field actor, and a formidable opponent who still holds the decisive cards in Sudan’s future.
His appearance was accompanied by messages in all directions, with one constant: his calm demeanor and relaxed body language that confirmed his confidence in the outcome of events and his trust in what the future holds, leaving Port Sudan and its allies with the burden of suspicion and the reproduction of rumors that defeat them psychologically after the facts are revealed, making them the target of ridicule on the Sudanese street.
Timing of the speech:
The speech came on June 23, from the heart of Darfur, carrying with it intertwined political, military, and economic messages. Amid escalation in El Fasher and West Kordofan, and the capital Port Sudan suffocating under the disputes of the army’s partners, Hamidti chose to appear among his soldiers in his traditional dress, confident, sarcastic, decisive, and dispelling any doubts about his absence or retreat. The direct message here was primarily directed at those who doubted his presence or his ability to lead, confirming the continuity of his pivotal role in the conflict, with the message being one of presence and steadfastness.
Regional repositioning:
Hamidti’s olive branch to Egypt was noteworthy, as he said that there were no differences with Cairo and that “the army fabricated them.” This message, directed directly at Egypt, aims to break the virtual regional siege on the Rapid Support Forces and offer a hand of security cooperation in a strategic attempt to neutralize an important regional player such as Cairo and reposition the Rapid Support Forces as a potential partner in regional security. This rhetorical shift toward a country that Rapid Support Forces had long accused of supporting Burhan on the ground reveals political pragmatism, as he emphasized that his forces’ control of the “border triangle with Egypt and Libya” would not be a threat, but rather an addition to regional security. This puts these countries in a position where they must deal with a new reality and cooperate with his forces on cross-border security issues.
Economic threat to Port Sudan:
In his speech, Hamidti raised his tone against the passage of South Sudanese oil through areas controlled by his forces, hinting at what he called “another opinion” on this issue and accusing the army of using its revenues to purchase drones to fight him. This message is directed directly at the war government in Port Sudan and the South Sudanese government. It represents a direct threat to Khartoum’s economic lifeline and embarrasses Juba, which is entirely dependent on this route to export its oil.
The army relies on mercenaries:
In a tone that mixed derision and belittlement, Hamidti said: “Only one division remains of the army,” adding that they—the army leadership—have come to rely on Eritrean soldiers and local miners to fill the gaps on the front lines. These statements are not mere rhetoric, but a propaganda weapon aimed at the army and its supporters, as well as at local and international public opinion.
A message of control and accountability for the inside and outside:
Not for the first time, but for the first time directly and face to face, Hamidti sharply criticized some manifestations of lawlessness within his forces and pledged to fight looting and drugs and to prepare prisons to accommodate the “Shafshafa,” saying: “They do not represent us, and they will not enter the north and the Nile with us.” This message is directed at Sudanese civil society and the international community, as well as serving as a direct warning to elements within his forces who are out of control. With this statement or implicit warning, Hamidti draws a moral line between his official forces and criminal and rogue elements, sending a reassuring message to areas not yet reached by the Rapid Support Forces that they will be a disciplined force.
Political pragmatism:
Surprisingly, Hamidti said that he “would not mind receiving Minni Arko Minnawi or Jibril Ibrahim if they came now,” adding: “We have no problem with these people.” This message is clearly directed at the leadership of the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement, as well as other factions that have joined the army alliance. Hamidti is thus attempting to attract these forces or fragment the political and military front loyal to the army, reflecting political pragmatism.
Messages for the home front:
Hamidti ordered the retroactive payment of soldiers’ salaries since April 15 and the formation of committees to count the martyrs and honor the wounded, in a move that reflects a deep awareness of the need to solidify loyalty among his forces, especially in light of the protracted war and the absence of a political horizon. This is a direct and effective message to his fighters and their families. He also honored one of the youngest fighters, the young man “Ahmed Darmoud,” saying that he represents the courage of the new generations in the Rapid Support Forces, in a symbolic message to raise morale and provide ongoing motivation.
Political and field bets of the moment:
Hamidti did not appear only to deny the rumor of his “death,” but to announce publicly that he is still alive, politically and militarily, and capable of redrawing the map of power in Sudan. Hamidti’s latest speech is a multifaceted strategic political statement that reflects the Rapid Support Forces’ ambitions to reshape the Sudanese landscape. The speech combines threats and incentives, offense and defense, and toughness and flexibility, in an attempt to strengthen the Rapid Support Forces’ position as a player that cannot be ignored in any future settlement, and perhaps as a party seeking to impose its vision for Sudan’s future. This appearance and the messages it conveyed are a clear attempt to rewrite the narrative about the Rapid Support Forces and their role, and to set the stage for any future negotiations from a position of strength, or for further escalation if their messages are not heeded.
The timing of Hamidti’s speech was not a coincidence, but rather a carefully calculated strategic decision to take advantage of the convergence of key variables on the political and field arenas. First and foremost, the speech was intended to respond to the most prominent rumors targeting him personally—rumors of his “death and prolonged absence”—using his confident body language and sarcastic laughter as conclusive proof of his presence and safety, in an attempt to break the psychological warfare waged against him by his opponents.
On the field, the speech comes amid a notable military escalation in vital areas such as El Fasher and West Kordofan. This appearance is a strong morale boost for his soldiers, a reaffirmation of leadership in the heart of the field, and sends a message of confidence about the “outcome of events” and confirmation of control over the initiative.
Politically, the timing also appears to be linked to a desire to influence regional and international calculations. Amid talk of initiatives to resolve the Sudanese crisis and disputes within the Port Sudan camp itself, the speech put “Hamidti’s conditions” and “strengths” on the table and established him as a player who cannot be ignored in any future equation. It is a moment aimed at recalibrating the compass, determining the direction of rapid support and his vision for the path to a solution.
