Sudan’s fragile unity was thrown into further turmoil on Saturday after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—also known as Hemedti—announced the formation of a parallel government in Nyala, a move condemned by the Sudanese army as a dangerous step toward partition.
Hemedti was declared head of a new 15-member Presidential Council, with rebel leader Abdel Aziz al-Hilu named his deputy. Civilian politician Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi was appointed Prime Minister in the announcement made from Darfur’s largest city, now largely under RSF control.
The RSF, which has been at war with the Sudanese Armed Forces for 27 months, declared the move as part of a transition toward a secular “New Sudan,” directly challenging the military-led administration in Khartoum.
Tensions escalated further as the RSF named governors for regions still under army control. The army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, swiftly rejected the move, vowing to continue its campaign until it retakes full control of the country.
Both Burhan and Dagalo are under U.S. sanctions—Dagalo for alleged genocide and Burhan for obstructing peace efforts. The two previously shared power after Omar al-Bashir’s fall in 2019 but fell out following a 2021 coup that sidelined civilian leaders.
Fighting continues across key flashpoints including Kordofan and al-Fashir, worsening what the UN calls one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Over half of Sudan’s population is now at risk of hunger and famine, with tens of thousands killed since war broke out.
