The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, have announced the creation of a rival government amidst ongoing violent conflicts in Sudan, marking two years since the war erupted in 2021. This development coincides with an international conference in London, where calls for peace were made against a backdrop of escalating violence that has displaced millions.
Paramilitary Forces Establish Rival Government Amid Sudan's Humanitarian Crisis
Paramilitary Forces Establish Rival Government Amid Sudan's Humanitarian Crisis
A new government is declared by Sudan's paramilitary forces as a humanitarian crisis deepens in the region.
The RSF's declaration follows severe fighting in North Darfur, with Hemedti emphasizing a need for unity across tribal lines and promising essential services across Sudan, not just in RSF territories. Meanwhile, over 150,000 lives have been lost, and war crimes allegations loom over both the army and RSF. Humanitarian conditions have worsened, with severe famine threatening hundreds of thousands. During this time, the UK announced additional aid while pressuring the international community to remain engaged in Sudan's plight.
**Article Text:**
Sudan's paramilitary forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have officially announced the establishment of a rival government, a move that heightens tensions two years into a brutal conflict that has developed into the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The RSF leader, Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, proclaimed this new governance structure in a bid to create a "realistic future" for Sudan amid ongoing violence.
This announcement coincided with a high-level international conference in London held to mark the second anniversary of the conflict, where UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy advocated for "a pathway to peace." As fighting continues unabated, the Sudanese army reported conducting airstrikes on RSF positions near el-Fasher, resulting in a mass exodus of civilians from the Zamzam refugee camp.
Hemedti asserted that the RSF aims to build a "state of law" rather than a regime dominated by a single individual or group. He underscored the importance of unity among the diverse tribes, regions, and religions that constitute Sudanese identity. His statement on social media outlined key promises of the RSF government, including the provision of essential services such as education and healthcare across the nation.
The violence has escalated to alarming new heights, with UN reports noting that over 400 lives have been lost in the latest RSF-led attacks. A humanitarian calamity has ensued, with over 150,000 reported dead and more than 12 million displaced since the outbreak of the conflict. The ongoing power struggle between Hemedti and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Sudanese army chief, has fueled this crisis, revealing the severity of violence and worsening living conditions.
The latest rounds of fighting in North Darfur, particularly around el-Fasher, has led tens of thousands to flee the Zamzam refugee camp, forced to traverse harsh terrains in search of safety. Reports from medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) indicate that many have arrived at their destinations severely dehydrated, with some children succumbing to thirst along the journey.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that famine-like conditions threaten over 700,000 people living in temporary camps around el-Fasher, as security threats and impediments hinder the delivery of crucial aid. At the international meeting in London, the UK pledged an additional £120m ($159m) in humanitarian support, emphasizing the global responsibility to not ignore the dire situation in Sudan.
Lammy stated, "It is morally wrong to look away when civilians are beheaded and children are subjected to heinous acts of violence. The world must not abandon Sudan now." The conference also urged for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. However, the African Union has reiterated that it will not permit the partitioning of Sudan by the army and the RSF, indicating the complexities that lie ahead.
**Article Text:**
Sudan's paramilitary forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have officially announced the establishment of a rival government, a move that heightens tensions two years into a brutal conflict that has developed into the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The RSF leader, Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, proclaimed this new governance structure in a bid to create a "realistic future" for Sudan amid ongoing violence.
This announcement coincided with a high-level international conference in London held to mark the second anniversary of the conflict, where UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy advocated for "a pathway to peace." As fighting continues unabated, the Sudanese army reported conducting airstrikes on RSF positions near el-Fasher, resulting in a mass exodus of civilians from the Zamzam refugee camp.
Hemedti asserted that the RSF aims to build a "state of law" rather than a regime dominated by a single individual or group. He underscored the importance of unity among the diverse tribes, regions, and religions that constitute Sudanese identity. His statement on social media outlined key promises of the RSF government, including the provision of essential services such as education and healthcare across the nation.
The violence has escalated to alarming new heights, with UN reports noting that over 400 lives have been lost in the latest RSF-led attacks. A humanitarian calamity has ensued, with over 150,000 reported dead and more than 12 million displaced since the outbreak of the conflict. The ongoing power struggle between Hemedti and General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the Sudanese army chief, has fueled this crisis, revealing the severity of violence and worsening living conditions.
The latest rounds of fighting in North Darfur, particularly around el-Fasher, has led tens of thousands to flee the Zamzam refugee camp, forced to traverse harsh terrains in search of safety. Reports from medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) indicate that many have arrived at their destinations severely dehydrated, with some children succumbing to thirst along the journey.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that famine-like conditions threaten over 700,000 people living in temporary camps around el-Fasher, as security threats and impediments hinder the delivery of crucial aid. At the international meeting in London, the UK pledged an additional £120m ($159m) in humanitarian support, emphasizing the global responsibility to not ignore the dire situation in Sudan.
Lammy stated, "It is morally wrong to look away when civilians are beheaded and children are subjected to heinous acts of violence. The world must not abandon Sudan now." The conference also urged for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. However, the African Union has reiterated that it will not permit the partitioning of Sudan by the army and the RSF, indicating the complexities that lie ahead.
