Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, has been sworn in as the head of a parallel Sudanese government, intensifying fears that the country is edging closer to de facto partition. The leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took the oath in Nyala, one of Sudan’s largest cities and the RSF’s power base in the Darfur region, according to an RSF statement.
What Does Hemedti’s Swearing-In Mean for Sudan?
Nyala, which now serves as the de facto capital for the RSF, has already seen the group appoint a prime minister and a presidential council under Hemedti’s leadership. The city came under drone attack on Saturday, underscoring the ongoing volatility of the conflict.
While the RSF controls most of Darfur, the fiercest battles continue in al-Fashir, the historic capital of the region. For more than 500 days, hundreds of thousands of civilians there have lived under siege, with many forced to eat animal feed to survive. UNICEF has reported that over 1,000 children have been killed or maimed by airstrikes, artillery, and ground attacks.
How Are Civilians Affected by the War?
The RSF has claimed it gave civilians enough time to leave contested areas, but independent monitors tell a different story. The Yale Humanitarian Lab reported that satellite imagery shows RSF forces building barriers that prevent movement. Survivors who managed to escape have described violent attacks and robberies by RSF soldiers.
What Is the Current State of the War?
On the other side of the conflict, the Sudanese army has regained control of central and eastern Sudan. Earlier this week, it held its first cabinet meeting since the start of the 28-month war, signaling its attempt to re-establish governance.
Meanwhile, the Kordofan region, which lies between RSF and army strongholds, remains contested with repeated attacks on small villages. The fighting has devastated Sudan’s economy, driven half the population into hunger, and created what aid groups describe as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Despite international calls for peace, including pressure from the United States, little progress has been made toward ending the conflict.
By Lucky Anyanje
