A Sudanese coalition led by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday unveiled the formation of a parallel government, escalating the country’s ongoing 27-month war and drawing sharp condemnation from the military, which views the move as a step towards national partition.
RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, was declared head of a 15-member presidential council. Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, leader of the influential Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), was appointed as his deputy. Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi, a former civilian politician, was named prime minister. The announcement also included the appointment of regional governors during a press briefing in Nyala, the largest city in Darfur, much of which is now under RSF control.
The army has recently made gains in central Sudan, pushing RSF forces out of key areas, while fierce battles continue in central-west Kordofan and Darfur’s capital, al-Fashir.
In February, the RSF, along with allied rebel groups and political figures, agreed to establish a secular government under the banner of a “New Sudan.” Saturday’s announcement formalises that effort, despite many of the declared regional governors representing areas still firmly under army control. The RSF-backed coalition claims the move is intended to challenge the military-led government’s legitimacy and facilitate international arms procurement.
The Sudanese military, headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, condemned the RSF’s actions and reaffirmed its commitment to regaining full control of Sudan.
“The armed forces will continue fighting until all of Sudan is unified under one government,” military officials said.
The two rival generals—Dagalo and Burhan—once shared power following the ouster of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019. However, their 2021 joint coup sidelined civilian leaders and sparked a violent struggle over military integration, halting Sudan’s transition to democracy.
Both men are currently under US sanctions. Dagalo was sanctioned earlier this year over alleged genocide, while Burhan was sanctioned in January for pursuing war over diplomacy, according to US authorities.