Sudan: Rapid Support Forces declare “government of peace and unity”

The paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan declared the establishment of a competing government on April 15, coinciding with the second anniversary of the war's eruption, which has resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities and the displacement of millions.

The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, former deputy to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, declared the establishment of the “Government of Peace and Unity,” a move that intensifies fears that Sudan could split between the warring factions, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, has been labelled the world’s worst humanitarian crisis by the United Nations, with 13 million people displaced, including over 3.5 million seeking refuge abroad.

In a statement released on Telegram, Daglo proclaimed that the RSF, in partnership with civil and political forces, had signed a transitional constitution to guide the formation of a new Sudan. The document establishes a 15-member presidential council, designed to represent the diverse regions of Sudan and symbolise its “voluntary unity.” This move follows the RSF’s signing of a charter in Kenya earlier this year, which set out the framework for the rival government in the territories under its control.

However, analysts warn that the conflict risks leading to a permanent division of the country. Sharath Srinivasan, a Sudan expert at Cambridge University, has warned that the RSF’s growing strength in Darfur could lead to a de facto separation as territorial divides become increasingly entrenched.

The war, which has resulted in widespread death and displacement, has wreaked havoc on millions of Sudanese lives. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, painted a grim picture, stating, “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.”

The ongoing fighting has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee the capital, Khartoum, while those who remained behind have endured dire conditions under RSF control. One resident, 52-year-old Abdel Rafi Hussein, who remained in the capital during its months-long siege, described the hardships of living in RSF-controlled Khartoum. “I’ve lost half my bodyweight,” he said. “We’re safe now, but still, we suffer from a lack of water and electricity and most hospitals aren’t working.”

In the western region of Darfur, the RSF is intensifying its efforts to solidify control, particularly around the strategic city of El-Fasher. Recent clashes have resulted in significant casualties, with over 400 people reported dead. The RSF has also claimed control of the nearby Zamzam displacement camp, where an estimated 400,000 people fled in the wake of the violence. The United Nations has expressed concern over the dire situation at the camp, which remains inaccessible due to a communication blackout and reports of widespread destruction.

As violence continues to rage, the international community has ramped up efforts to broker a ceasefire. An international conference held in London called for an immediate halt to hostilities, while the United States condemned the escalating violence in Darfur. Tammy Bruce, a US State Department spokesperson, expressed alarm over the RSF’s targeting of civilians and humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

The United Nations and European powers have made urgent calls for a permanent ceasefire, with the latter pledging over €800 million in humanitarian aid. The African Union and G7 nations have also voiced concerns over the potential fragmentation of Sudan and emphasised the need for a political solution to end the war.

Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire. With famine now a widespread threat in many areas, including the Zamzam camp, aid agencies are warning that Sudan faces an escalating humanitarian catastrophe. As the conflict drags on, the future of the country remains uncertain, with the prospect of further division looming ever larger.

By Aghakazim Guliyev