A TOP Sudanese general told the BBC today that the army will press on with its fight against a powerful paramilitary group despite international efforts to broker a ceasefire.

The army has waged a bitter 17-month civil war against the Rapid Support Forces that has killed thousands and created a humanitarian disaster with more than half of the country’s 45 million population facing hunger and millions displaced from their homes.

Assistant Commander in Chief Lieutenant General Ibrahim Gabir told the BBC: “Peace talks can go on, but the army will not stop for that.

The general was speaking days after the army launched an offensive to regain control of the capital, Khartoum, from the RSF.

He said: “When the parties agree to a ceasefire, the army can stop.

“Let the international community exert pressure on the militia to stop the fighting and leave the houses that it’s taken,” saying that he felt the momentum in the fighting was now with the army.

The Sudanese army has also focused much recent attention on Darfur’s border with Chad. They claim the area is a route into their country for mercenaries and weapons provided by, among others, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE denies any involvement in the civil war, but the United Nations claims there is credible evidence to suggest otherwise.