Sudan’s RSF announces parallel government

General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (RSF) in uniform during a press briefing

A Sudanese coalition that is dominated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has unveiled a parallel government, intensifying its power struggle with the national army in a civil war now entering its 27th month. At a press conference held in Nyala, Darfur, the RSF declared General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as head of a newly formed 15-member presidential council, with rebel leader Abdel Aziz al-Hilu of the SPLM‑N appointed as his deputy.

The announcement, according to the New York Times, comes five months after RSF and allied groups signed a charter in Kenya signaling their intent to establish a secular, federal “New Sudan,” challenging the internationally recognised army government.  In addition to the presidential council, the coalition named Mohammed Hassan al-Taishi as prime minister and appointed newly aligned regional governors.

Separately, Al Jazeera reports that the move was quickly condemned by Sudan’s army-aligned government, which labelled it illegitimate and warned it could deepen the country’s fragmentation into rival administrations. International bodies, including the United Nations, have similarly rejected the RSF’s parallel government, citing concerns over prolonging conflict, legitimising human rights abuses, and undermining diplomatic peace efforts.