State paramilitaries in Sudan have announced their intention to form a government separate from the country’s armed forces, two years after the start of a conflict that has become the world’s largest humanitarian emergency.
The head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, stated that his group is “creating the only realistic future for Sudan”.
This proclamation occurred during a high-level conference in London to mark the two-year anniversary of the conflict, where UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy advocated for “a path to peace”.
The conflict continues unabated, with the army claiming to have targeted RSF positions near el-Fasher, prompting hundreds of thousands to leave the Zamzam refugee camp.
Hemedti asserted that the RSF aims to establish “a state of law and not one ruled by individuals”.
“We don’t seek to dominate but to unite. We hold the belief that no single tribe, region, or religion can claim a monopoly on the Sudanese identity,” he communicated via a Telegram statement.
He further stated that his government would offer essential services like education and healthcare not only to areas under RSF control but across the entire nation.
According to the UN, citing credible sources, more than 400 individuals have been killed in recent RSF attacks.
Two years into the war, both the army and the RSF have been charged with war crimes, including genocide and mass sexual violence.
Hemedti has been in a struggle for power with Sudan’s army chief, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, since 15 April 2023, leading to a humanitarian crisis that has reportedly taken over 150,000 lives and displaced around 12 million people.
The ongoing conflict in the capital of North Darfur, el-Fasher, has forced tens of thousands of civilians from the Zamzam refugee camp to venture 70km (43 miles) to Tawila, according to MSF.
Many arrived severely dehydrated, and some children have reportedly died from thirst.
Humanitarian agencies have noted famine-like conditions affecting over 700,000 people in temporary camps around el-Fasher, with security threats and roadblocks hindering the distribution of critical aid.
During an international meeting, the UK pledged an additional £120m ($159m) in food and medical aid, urging the global community not to abandon Sudan.
“Many have lost hope for Sudan – that is incorrect – it’s fundamentally wrong when we witness so many civilians beheaded, infants as young as one subjected to sexual violence, and more individuals facing famine than anywhere else in the world… We simply cannot ignore the situation,” Lammy said.
The conference also demanded an immediate and irreversible ceasefire, but the African Union has stated that it will not permit the country to be divided by the army and the RSF.
