We begin with a dramatic escalation in Sudan’s civil conflict. A notorious paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, has officially announced the formation of a parallel government, further fracturing an already war-ravaged nation.
The RSF, which controls large portions of western Sudan, including the Darfur region, made the declaration on Saturday. The announcement marks a turning point in the country’s descent into chaos, ignited by the power struggle between Sudan’s national army and the RSF, which erupted into open warfare in April 2023.
Operating from Darfur, where allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity are being investigated, the RSF and its allies under the banner of the so-called Tasis Alliance have appointed their commander, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, as the head of a new “sovereign council.” This 15-member body now claims to function as the head of state in areas under RSF control.
A Dark History Reignites
The RSF’s roots trace back to the Janjaweed militias, infamously mobilized two decades ago by then-President Omar al-Bashir during the Darfur conflict. The Janjaweed were accused of horrific abuses, including mass killings and rapes, crimes echoed in today’s conflict, where the RSF is once again facing accusations of atrocities.
In response, the Biden administration has sanctioned General Dagalo, accusing him and his forces of committing acts of genocide charges that RSF leadership continues to deny.
The announcement of this rival government was made in a video statement from the city of Nyala now firmly under RSF control. Alliance spokesperson Alaa al-Din Naqd confirmed that former civilian leader Mohammed Hassan Taishi has been named as prime minister. Taishi previously served on the post-Bashir transitional council.
The group also named rebel commander Abdelaziz al-Hilu, leader of the SPLM-N a powerful armed faction in the southern Kordofan region as Dagalo’s deputy. Al-Hilu’s group, though originally part of Sudan’s larger liberation movement, has broken away and now aligns with RSF forces.
International Outcry
This announcement follows the controversial signing of a charter five months ago in Nairobi, Kenya, where the RSF and its partners outlined plans for a “transitional constitution” and a breakaway administration. That move was swiftly condemned by Sudan’s internationally recognized government in Khartoum, which has now denounced the new RSF-led government as illegitimate and fake. Officials there are urging the global community not to recognize or engage with what they call a “phantom regime.”
The United States and other international actors have also rejected the RSF’s power grab. Analysts warn the development mirrors the fractured governance seen in neighboring Libya, with rival factions vying for legitimacy, territory, and international backing.
Sudanese rebel leader Yasir Arman warned that the formation of this parallel government will only prolong the conflict and threaten to divide Sudan permanently into two rival states.
As the humanitarian crisis continues to spiral and violence shows no sign of slowing, diplomatic efforts remain fragile, and millions of Sudanese civilians are caught in the crossfire of a deepening national divide.
We will continue to follow this developing story.
Reporting by Ehud Jones.
