NAIROBI, Kenya – Sudan's devastating conflict has taken a perilous new turn as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their political allies have announced the formation of a parallel civilian government, a move that threatens to permanently splinter the nation and deepen an already catastrophic civil war.
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| Deputy head of Sudan's sovereign council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo |
The declaration, made by a coalition of political and civil groups led by the paramilitary RSF, establishes a separate governing authority in the territories under its control, primarily in the capital Khartoum and the western Darfur region. This move formalizes a de facto partition of the country, directly challenging the sovereignty of the incumbent Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) government based in Port Sudan.
This new self-proclaimed administration aims to manage civilian affairs, provide services, and establish a governance structure independent of the SAF-led state. In their announcement, representatives of the alliance stated their objective is to "alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people" in the areas they control and to create a new "democratic" foundation for the country, accusing the SAF of being a remnant of the former regime of Omar al-Bashir.
The move significantly complicates an already intractable political landscape. Key details of the situation include:
A Nation Divided: The announcement formalizes the territorial split that has existed since the conflict erupted in April 2023. The RSF controls large swathes of the capital and the Darfur region, while the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, controls the east and north, including the country's main port.
Undermining Peace Efforts: This declaration is a major blow to numerous international and regional mediation efforts aimed at brokering a ceasefire and establishing a single, unified civilian government. It suggests the RSF is now pursuing an outright political victory and statehood rather than a negotiated settlement.
Escalating a Humanitarian Disaster: The war has already created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Over 10 million people have been internally displaced, and millions more face acute famine. The creation of a competing government is likely to further disrupt aid delivery channels and intensify fighting as both sides battle for legitimacy and control of resources.
The international community has reacted with alarm. Diplomats and analysts fear that the establishment of a parallel authority will not only prolong the war but could also lead to the permanent fragmentation of Sudan, similar to situations seen in Libya or Yemen. The African Union and the United Nations have consistently called for a unified, civilian-led transition and are expected to condemn this unilateral action.
The conflict between the former allies—the SAF and the RSF—has been characterized by extreme brutality, including widespread reports of ethnic cleansing, mass killings, and sexual violence, particularly in Darfur.
The formation of an RSF-backed government is a clear signal that the paramilitary group is digging in for the long haul, attempting to create facts on the ground and govern its territory. This move shatters any remaining hope for a swift resolution and plunges Sudan into a new and more complex phase of its crisis, pushing the prospect of a unified, peaceful nation further out of reach.