Sudan Conflict Deepens with Rival Government

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Sudan’s New Rival Government

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied groups have declared a rival government in Sudan, naming it the “Government of Peace and Unity.” This significant announcement came on April 16, 2025, coinciding with the anniversary of the conflict’s beginning (africanews.com). RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, made the declaration, marking a bold move to solidify the RSF’s political aspirations.

This declaration by the RSF creates new challenges for ongoing peace efforts. It occurred as a high-level conference, co-hosted by the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the African Union, and the European Union, aimed to end the devastating conflict (CNN). The “Government of Peace and Unity” is also referred to as a “rival government” or “government-in-exile,” reflecting its contested legitimacy (wikipedia.org). The initial plan for this parallel government was in Nairobi, but the announcement was made in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, on July 1, 2025 (Original Article).

Understanding the Rapid Support Forces

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are a paramilitary force in Sudan with deep roots in the Janjaweed militias, which were prominent during the Darfur conflict. This group has gained significant influence in Sudanese politics, especially after the 2019 overthrow of long-time leader Omar al-Bashir (Rift Valley Institute). The RSF is currently engaged in a brutal conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), a struggle that has brought immense suffering to the Sudanese people.

The origins of the conflict between the SAF and RSF are complex, stemming from the historical concentration of political power and wealth in Sudan’s central regions (Rift Valley Institute). Furthermore, the reliance on militia groups for counterinsurgency campaigns, particularly under the former National Congress Party regime, contributed to the current tensions. The intense political competition unleashed by al-Bashir’s removal in 2019 also played a crucial role in escalating the rivalry between these two powerful forces (Rift Valley Institute).

The Sudanese Armed Forces and Conflict Origins

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) represent the official military of Sudan, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. For many decades, the SAF has held a central position in Sudan’s state, political landscape, and economy (Rift Valley Institute). The current civil war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) poses a significant challenge to their historical dominance.

The roots of the conflict lie in the deep disagreements between General al-Burhan of the SAF and General Hemedti of the RSF. Both generals played a role in deposing Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and were instrumental in a military coup two years later (CNN). Tensions escalated significantly over a proposed plan to integrate the RSF into the army, a move that would have dissolved the paramilitary force (ACLED). Heavy clashes erupted on April 15, 2023, in Khartoum’s tri-city area and other parts of the country, marking the official start of the devastating war (ACLED).

Sudan’s Failed Transition to Civilian Rule

Following the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in 2019, Sudan established the Transitional Sovereignty Council and a Transitional Government. These bodies aimed to guide the nation towards civilian rule and democratic governance. However, this hopeful transition was abruptly halted by a military coup in October 2021 (ACLED). The coup dissolved the civilian government and ousted its members from the Transitional Council, effectively transforming it into a military junta.

Although military and political actors committed to relaunching the transitional process in December 2022, the underlying tensions between the SAF and the RSF continued to mount (ACLED). The proposed integration of the RSF into the army became a major point of contention, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the current conflict. This failure to transition to civilian rule, coupled with the power struggle between the two generals, laid the groundwork for the widespread violence and humanitarian crisis that Sudan now faces.

The Sudan Founding Alliance

The “Government of Peace and Unity” is not a solo endeavor; it is supported by a coalition of armed groups and political factions known as the Sudan Founding Alliance. This alliance represents a significant consolidation of power for the RSF and its allies. The RSF-led administration includes a faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement, which controls parts of the Kordofan region (africanews.com).

The Sudan Founding Alliance comprises six armed factions: the Rapid Support Forces, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz Al-Hilu, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council led by Dr. Al-Hadi Idris, the Sudan Liberation Gathering led by Al-Tahir Hajar, the Sudanese Alliance Forces led by Hafez Abdel Nabi, and the Justice and Equality Movement led by Suleiman Sandal (3ayin.com). The SPLM-N, notably, had a long history of fighting against the Khartoum government and the Janjaweed militias, from which the RSF originated (Original Article). Bringing the SPLM-N into this alliance is considered a significant achievement, according to Hasbelnabi Mahmoud, president of the Sudan Liberation Movement and a member of the Tasis leadership (Original Article). The alliance has already signed a founding charter and constitution, with plans to announce its structures and form the government (3ayin.com). Despite internal divisions that delayed the announcement for over four months, the Tasis alliance has now established its governance council, with Hemedti as president and Abdel Aziz Adam al-Hilu as vice president (Original Article).

Territorial Control and Regional Significance

The RSF controls significant territory in Sudan, particularly in Darfur and parts of Kordofan. Almost all of Darfur, a region roughly the size of France, is held by the RSF (CNN). The RSF also maintains footholds in the neighboring states of West Kordofan and North Kordofan, according to a map released by the SAF (CNN).

Darfur, located in western Sudan, carries a heavy history of conflict and humanitarian crises, most notably the Darfur genocide in the early 2000s, which involved the very Janjaweed militias from which the RSF originated. Kordofan, a central region, also experiences significant instability. The strategic importance of these regions is underscored by the involvement of former rebel groups who signed the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) in October 2020 (Just Security). These groups, including factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement, had previously fought the SAF in the Darfur conflict but gained political positions and power through the JPA (ACLED). The Joint Darfur Forces (JDF), a joint military unit formed by these groups, even established Al-Fashir as their headquarters, creating a buffer zone between the warring SAF and RSF in the initial phase of the conflict (Just Security).

External States and Global Stakes

External states play a significant role in the Sudanese conflict, with various countries aligning with either the SAF or the RSF based on their strategic interests. For instance, Russia has shifted its support to the SAF, which firmly controls access to Sudan’s coast (ECFR). This alignment indicates a strategic interest in maritime access, as Russia has also signed an agreement to develop a naval base or maritime logistics hub on the Red Sea (ECFR).

Initially, Moscow equivocated, supporting both armies during the early months of the war, partly by leveraging ongoing relationships between the Africa Corps mercenary group and the RSF (ECFR). However, its current stance with the SAF highlights the complex geopolitical chessboard on which the Sudanese conflict is being played. The involvement of external powers underscores the broader implications of this conflict for regional stability and international relations, affecting not only the Sudanese people but also the wider African continent and global security.

The Humanitarian Crisis and Future Outlook

The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has been described by the United Nations as the world’s “most devastating humanitarian and displacement crisis” (CNN). Millions of Sudanese people have been displaced from their homes, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The declaration of a rival government further complicates the already dire situation, potentially prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of civilians.

The establishment of the “Government of Peace and Unity” by the RSF and its allies marks a new phase in the conflict, shifting from military confrontation to a struggle for political legitimacy. Hemedti has made clear statements about the need to establish a secular and democratic state for all Sudanese, without discrimination based on color (Original Article). The next crucial step for the Tasis alliance is to determine what the capital of the government they wish to form will be (Original Article). This ongoing struggle for control and recognition means that the path to peace and stability for Sudan remains uncertain, with profound implications for its people and the broader African continent.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.