Hemeti accuses SAF of chemical weapons use, declares end of peace talks

Sudan – The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of deploying chemical weapons in the ongoing civil war during a televised address aired on Monday, June 2, 2025. The RSF leader also announced the end of any possibility for peace negotiations and reaffirmed his forces’ intention to advance toward Port Sudan, Sudan current de facto administrative capital.

Hemeti alleged that a recently formed military unit known as the “Al-Sayyad Force” is armed with banned chemical weapons. “Al-Sayyad Force, which belongs to the SAF, is equipped with chemical weapons,” he claimed, without presenting evidence to support the serious accusation. The SAF has not responded publicly to the claim.

The Al-Sayyad Force was created in the aftermath of the ongoing conflict that erupted in April 2023. It has since played a key role in SAF military campaigns across North and South Kordofan, where government forces have retaken several strategic areas from the RSF.

In his speech, Hemeti warned that fresh military reinforcements arriving in Kordofan are intended to stop the fighting from spilling into Sudan’s Northern State. “The army’s deployments to Kordofan aim to stop the battle from reaching the north,” he said. However, he addressed civilians in the region, urging them to stay indoors if the RSF fighter enter their towns. He added that the RSF possesses lists of individuals affiliated with the Islamic Movement in Northern State, stating, “We have names of Islamic Movement members in the north.”

The remarks sparked alarm among observers and civil society groups, who warned they could incite retaliatory violence or signal a plan for targeted repression.

Hemeti also renewed accusations Egypt, stating, “Egypt is still backing the Sudanese army,” echoing past claims that Cairo supports the SAF militarily. Egypt has repeatedly denied these allegations, insisting that it supports a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict.

Turning to diplomacy, Hemeti declared that the Jeddah peace process, facilitated by the United States and Saudi Arabia, is effectively over. “No more Jeddah negotiations” he said, signaling his unwillingness to return to the negotiating table. His comments come as SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has also rejected further talks, vowing to the end the war by crushing what he refers to as the “rebellion.”

Hemeti concluded by emphasizing that the RSF would press forward toward Port Sudan, even if he and his deputy- his brother Abdelrahim Dagalo- step down. “We will continue the fight until we reach Port Sudan- even if i and my brother Abdelrahim step down,” he said

The speech comes as violence surges in multiple regions, deepening a humanitarian crisis that continues to draw international concern.