Sudan's RSF forms controversial parallel government amid crisis

In Sudan, a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has announced the formation of a parallel government in areas it controls, mainly in Darfur. This significant move, which took place on a Saturday, follows the outbreak of violence between the RSF and the Sudanese military in April 2023, which has plunged the country into chaos. The conflict began in the capital, Khartoum, and has since resulted in widespread allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity against the RSF, which grew out of the infamous Janjaweed militias formed by former president Omar al-Bashir. The RSF's new administration has a 15-member sovereign council, with Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo appointed as its head. The council serves as the head of state, and during the announcement, civilian politician Mohammed Hassan al-Taishi was named prime minister. Al-Taishi is notable for having served on a military-civilian sovereign council that governed Sudan after the 2019 overthrow of Omar al-Bashir. Rebel leader Abdelaziz al-Hilu, who leads the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), has joined Dagalo as deputy in this new governance structure, further indicating the RSF's strategic alliances in the region. This administration formation came months after the RSF and its allies signed a charter in early February in Nairobi, Kenya, aiming to establish a governing framework for RSF-controlled areas. However, international responses have been critical; countries including the United States rejected the RSF's efforts, accusing the group of attempting to legitimize their power through what they termed a “transitional constitution.” The foreign ministry of the internationally recognized government in Khartoum has denounced the formation of this new government, labeling it a “fake government” and appealing to the global community to refrain from recognizing it. The RSF's reputation is tarnished by accusations of committing atrocities in the ongoing conflict, with the Biden administration imposing sanctions on Dagalo, citing acts of genocide linked to the RSF's actions. This latest development undoubtedly deepens the crisis in Sudan, as the country grapples with escalating violence and humanitarian challenges, further complicating any prospects for peace and stability.