More than two years into Sudan’s brutal civil conflict, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allied factions have announced the formation of a rival government, sparking fears of prolonged instability.
The declaration, made on Saturday, comes nearly five months after the coalition signaled its intention to establish a parallel administration. RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo was named head of the newly formed 15-member Presidential Council.
Joining him are key political figures: Abdel Aziz al-Hilu of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) as vice president, and Mohamed Hassan Al-Ta’ayshi former member of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council as prime minister.
This alternative government seeks to challenge the legitimacy of the internationally recognized military-aligned administration led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who swiftly condemned the move and vowed continued military engagement until full control over Sudan is regained.
The Sudanese military currently dominates the north, east, and central regions, including the recently recaptured capital, Khartoum. In contrast, RSF forces hold much of Darfur in the west and parts of Kordofan in the south-central zone areas where recent clashes have left hundreds dead, according to local human rights organizations.
The conflict has triggered a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that nearly half of Sudan’s population faces hunger and potential famine, while the violence has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 13 million people.
