Sudan Criticizes Uganda Over Meeting With RSF Commander Amid Ongoing Conflict

The government of Sudan has strongly condemned Uganda following a meeting between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, describing the engagement as a move that undermines regional stability during Sudan’s ongoing war.

In a statement released Sunday, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said Uganda’s reception of Dagalo,  commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF),  amounted to a disregard for alleged atrocities committed during the conflict. The meeting took place at the presidential palace in Entebbe.

Khartoum argued that hosting the RSF leader contradicted principles of good neighbourly relations at a time when civilians continue to suffer from escalating violence. The ministry said documented abuses attributed to the RSF had been widely condemned by international actors and regional bodies, including the African Union.

According to the statement, welcoming the paramilitary commander risked legitimising an armed group accused by Sudanese authorities of carrying out serious crimes against civilians and supporting actions against what it described as the country’s internationally recognized government.

While acknowledging Uganda’s sovereign right to conduct diplomatic engagements, Sudan said the move signaled what it viewed as a shift in Kampala’s position toward the conflict, warning that any perceived support for rebel forces could threaten Sudan’s unity and security.

The Sudanese government also stressed that it would oppose any efforts allowing neighbouring territories to be used to assist armed groups fighting the state.

Ugandan authorities had not issued an immediate public response to the criticism at the time of reporting.

Dagalo’s visit marked his first widely reported international appearance in months, following a previous tour of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, in September.

Sudan has been engulfed in a conflict between the national army and the RSF since April 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced an estimated 13 million, creating one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, according to United Nations assessments.