In a dramatic escalation of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, declared the formation of a rival government to the country’s military authorities. This announcement comes as Sudan grapples with a humanitarian crisis that has now become the largest of its kind in the world, two years into the conflict.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, just as global attention was focused on a high-level conference in London marking the second anniversary of the war. At the conference, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stressed the importance of finding “a pathway to peace” in Sudan, as fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF continues to cause widespread destruction and suffering.
The conflict began in April 2023 when tensions between RSF leader Hemedti and Sudan’s army chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, erupted into full-scale fighting. Since then, the violence has escalated, causing immense casualties and displacing millions of civilians.
In his statement, Hemedti framed the RSF’s actions as a necessary step for Sudan’s future. He argued that the RSF was not seeking to dominate the country but to unite it. The leader of the paramilitary group declared that his government was committed to building “a state of law” rather than one ruled by individual interests.
Hemedti’s message, posted on Telegram, emphasized that the RSF’s goal was to foster national unity. He further stated that his group would offer essential services, including healthcare and education, to all Sudanese citizens, not just those in areas under RSF control.
This announcement marks a significant shift in the balance of power, with the RSF now claiming authority over parts of the country, including areas of Darfur and the capital, Khartoum. Hemedti’s declaration of a rival government adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing war, which has already torn the country apart.
The latest fighting has centered around the city of el-Fasher in North Darfur, where the Sudanese army launched airstrikes against RSF positions. The fighting has forced thousands of people to flee the Zamzam refugee camp, which had already been home to many displaced individuals. According to the UN, more than 400 people have been killed in recent attacks by the RSF.
As the violence rages on, the humanitarian situation has worsened, with many civilians caught in the crossfire. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, walking long distances to reach safer areas. In the case of those fleeing Zamzam, many walked 70 kilometers to the town of Tawila, only to find themselves in dire conditions.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that many of the displaced arrived severely dehydrated, and some children tragically died of thirst during the journey. The United Nations has warned that famine-like conditions are now threatening more than 700,000 people living in temporary camps around el-Fasher.
These camps are facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Humanitarian agencies have also reported that security threats and roadblocks are making it nearly impossible to deliver critical aid to the affected populations.
On the international stage, the UK government has pledged an additional £120 million (about $159 million) in food and medical aid to Sudan, emphasizing the need for the international community to continue supporting the country in its time of need.
Speaking at the London conference, Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the current situation in Sudan as “morally wrong” and called on the world not to turn its back on the country. He highlighted the brutal violence that civilians are facing, with reports of beheadings, sexual violence against children as young as one year old, and widespread starvation. Lammy said that the world simply could not ignore the suffering of the Sudanese people.
The UK’s pledge of additional aid is a part of broader international efforts to address the growing crisis. Governments, international organizations, and humanitarian agencies have been calling for a permanent ceasefire and for all parties to engage in peace talks. However, with both the army and the RSF entrenched in their positions, prospects for a lasting peace remain uncertain.
The London conference also called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, urging both sides in the conflict to halt hostilities and prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians. While international actors have pressed for peace talks, the African Union has stated that it will not allow the country to be partitioned by the warring factions.
In a statement, the African Union emphasized the importance of Sudan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, stating that any resolution to the crisis must include a unified Sudan. This statement underlined the broader regional implications of the conflict, as the situation in Sudan threatens to destabilize neighboring countries and further exacerbate the refugee crisis in the region.
As the war drags on, the international community has faced increasing pressure to take more decisive action to protect civilians and help bring an end to the conflict. Despite the promises of additional aid and the call for a ceasefire, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, and the humanitarian crisis grows ever more dire.
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen whether a peaceful resolution is possible or whether Sudan will continue to spiral into further violence. The power struggle between the Sudanese army and the RSF has created a dangerous and unstable situation that has claimed the lives of over 150,000 people and displaced more than 12 million since the conflict began.
While both sides have been accused of committing war crimes, including genocide and mass sexual violence, the international community is still grappling with how to effectively address these violations and hold perpetrators accountable. The ongoing war has left millions of Sudanese people in desperate need of assistance, and the outlook for the country’s future remains uncertain.
