editor
MWE Correspondent
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allied factions have announced the formation of a new governing authority in territories they control, particularly in the troubled region of Darfur.
The move signals a deepening rift in the already fragile state, raising fears of a prolonged division in the country.
The announcement came via a video statement released from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, where RSF holds substantial ground. Speaking on behalf of the newly formed “Government of Peace and Unity,” coalition spokesperson Alaa al-Din Naqd declared the group’s intention to administer all RSF-held territories autonomously.
Heading this new government structure is General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known by his nickname “Hemedti”. A powerful warlord and RSF commander, Hemedti has played a central role in Sudan’s most recent conflict and was once a key player in the transitional arrangements following the 2019 Sudanese Revolution.
Alongside him is Mohammed Hassan al-Taishi, a civilian politician and former member of the now-defunct Transitional Sovereignty Council, who has been named Prime Minister. Taishi was previously involved in peace negotiations after the ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir, whose regime was toppled in a popular uprising.
The newly established political entity was unveiled under the banner of the Tasis Coalition — a group that includes the RSF and several breakaway political and community leaders who support decentralization and civilian leadership in RSF-controlled areas.
However, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which continues to back the internationally recognized government in Khartoum, swiftly dismissed the RSF’s declaration. Officials labeled the move a “delusional power grab” and warned that it could jeopardize ongoing regional mediation efforts led by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
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Since hostilities broke out in April 2023, more than 13 million people have been displaced, and over 15,000 civilians have been killed, according to UN OCHA. Humanitarian agencies continue to warn of deteriorating conditions, especially in West Darfur, where the RSF is accused of ethnic cleansing against non-Arab communities.
Rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are closely monitoring the situation. Investigations are ongoing into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, many reportedly committed by RSF fighters and their Janjaweed affiliates — the same groups previously linked to atrocities during the first Darfur conflict.
As Sudan teeters on the edge of deeper fragmentation, analysts warn that the formation of dual governments could prolong the violence and complicate peace-building efforts. “This is a clear sign that we are no longer looking at a unified Sudan,” said one expert from the International Crisis Group.
The international community has yet to issue a unified response, but pressure is mounting on regional actors to mediate a ceasefire and return both parties to the negotiating table. Without intervention, many fear Sudan may be headed toward a Libya-style collapse, where rival authorities carve out de facto territories with no central control.
