Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, head of Sudan’s newly formed Presidential Council, has called for an international investigation to determine who was behind the outbreak of the country’s devastating conflict, accusing elements of the former regime of igniting the war.
Speaking in Nyala, South Darfur, on Saturday after being sworn in as chairman of the council, Dagalo said only a transparent international inquiry could establish accountability for what he described as a war imposed on Sudanese civilians.
“I renew my call for a transparent international investigation to determine who planned, arranged, and ignited this war and caused the suffering of the Sudanese people,” Dagalo declared in his inaugural address, published by the council’s official account on X.
The war between General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on April 15, 2023, following weeks of rising tensions over a proposed framework agreement for civilian rule. Fighting has since spread across much of Sudan, displacing millions, pushing large parts of the population to the brink of famine, and deepening the collapse of state institutions.
Dagalo said his government—formed by the Sudan Founding Alliance (SFA), a coalition that includes the RSF, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), and allied political and civil groups—was committed to addressing Sudan’s legacy of authoritarianism and injustice. But he insisted that confronting the roots of the current war must begin with accountability.
“The Sudanese people deserve to know who bears responsibility for igniting this war,” he said, tying the demand for an inquiry to broader promises of justice, decentralization, and civilian governance.
International and regional mediators have struggled to secure a ceasefire between the SAF and RSF, leaving Sudan trapped in a cycle of bloodshed. By calling for an international investigation, Dagalo has sought to break this deadlock, pushing for accountability and exposing the role of Islamist remnants in fueling the war. His appeal underscores his effort to present the “peace government” as a force for transparency, justice, and a new beginning for Sudan.
The call comes as humanitarian conditions worsen, with millions in need of food, medicine, and shelter. Aid agencies say insecurity and bureaucratic obstruction continue to hamper relief efforts. Dagalo pledged his government would allow humanitarian access and protect convoys, but insisted that without accountability for the war’s origins, peace will remain out of reach.
