Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has declared the formation of a rival government to the country’s armed forces, two years into a war that has become the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
The RSF leader, Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, said the group is “building the only realistic future for Sudan” and aims to provide essential services like education and healthcare to the entire country, not just RSF-controlled areas.
This move comes as fighting continues, with the army bombing RSF positions outside the city of el-Fasher, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee the Zamzam refugee camp.
The conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, has claimed over 150,000 lives and displaced more than 12 million people.
Recent attacks by the RSF have killed over 400 people, according to the UN, and humanitarian agencies report famine-like conditions facing over 700,000 people in temporary camps around el-Fasher.
The UK has promised an additional £120m worth of food and medical assistance, urging the world not to turn its back on Sudan.
The international community is calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, while the African Union has stated it will not allow the country to be partitioned by the army and the RSF.
