Faith Nyasuguta
Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have marked the second anniversary of the country’s devastating war by declaring a new, rival government, intensifying fears that Africa’s third-largest nation is heading toward a formal split.
In a televised speech on Tuesday, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo widely known as Hemedti, announced the formation of a “Government of Peace and Unity,” which he described as a political turning point for Sudan.
“On this anniversary, we proudly declare the establishment of the Government of Peace and Unity, a broad coalition that reflects the true face of Sudan,” Dagalo said in a Telegram broadcast. He added that the new administration would issue its own currency and national identity documents, calling it a step toward creating a “historic transitional constitution for a new Sudan.” He also called on the African Union to recognize this parallel authority.
The announcement comes two months after Dagalo’s forces and their allies signed a political charter in Nairobi, Kenya, outlining the intent to create such a government. The move provoked strong condemnation from Sudan’s army-led government under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. In retaliation, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) halted all imports from Kenya, accusing it of interference, a charge the Kenyan government denied.
The RSF and SAF have been at war since April 15, 2023, when disputes over a planned power transition spiraled into nationwide violence. The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced over 13 million people, and forced 3.5 million to flee Sudan entirely. The United Nations has labeled it the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, citing collapsed healthcare services, looming famine, and inaccessible regions where verifying casualties is nearly impossible.
“In these two years, the lives of millions have been shattered. Families have been torn apart. Livelihoods have been lost. And for many, the future remains uncertain,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Sudan.
The RSF has gained significant ground in Darfur, where it now threatens to seize El-Fasher, the last major city in the region not under its control. Over 400 people have reportedly been killed in recent days, and the nearby Zamzam displacement camp, once a haven for nearly a million civilians, has been captured. The UN’s International Organization for Migration estimates 400,000 people fled the camp.
“Zamzam camp is inaccessible, and a communication blackout continues to hinder independent verification,” the UN humanitarian agency OCHA warned. Satellite imagery has revealed extensive fire damage across the camp.
The SAF said it launched “successful air strikes” against RSF positions near El-Fasher. Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce accused the RSF of an “escalation of attacks,” while G7 nations and an international summit in London urged both parties to accept an immediate ceasefire. The London conference pledged over 800 million Euros in new humanitarian aid and emphasized the importance of preserving Sudan’s territorial integrity.
Despite the pressure, neither side has shown willingness to negotiate, deepening fears of a permanent partition.
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