Sudan condemns RSF's announcement of parallel government as 'fake'
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The Sudanese Foreign Ministry and army condemned the Rapid Support Forces’ announcement of a parallel government, calling it illegitimate and dangerous.
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Sudanese soldiers from the Rapid Support Forces secure the area where Dagalo attends a military-backed tribe's rally, in the East Nile province, Sudan, June 22, 2019 (AP)
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the announcement by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of a parallel government in Sudan, labeling it a “fake government.”
On Saturday, a coalition led by the RSF declared the formation of a new government during a press conference in Nyala, the largest city in the Darfur region. The group appointed RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, as head of a newly formed Presidential Council.
Abdulaziz al-Hilu, the leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North, was named deputy. The council reportedly includes 15 members, with Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi, a former civilian politician, named as prime minister. Governors for various Sudanese states were also announced.
Sudan denounces 'fake government'
In an official statement, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemns the so-called fake government announced by the terrorist RSF militia,” accusing the group of exploiting the suffering of Sudanese people and attempting to seize power by force.
“The militia’s declaration of a fictional government through social media reveals its defeat and collapse at the hands of our brave armed forces in all formations and units,” the ministry said.
It also criticized the involvement of civilian and rebel factions in the announcement, stating that their participation “exposes the true face of such alliances and confirms their engagement in a conspiracy coordinated with the terrorist militia to seize power by force on April 15, 2023.”
The ministry called on neighboring countries, the international community, and regional and global organizations to reject the move and refrain from recognizing or engaging with what it described as an illegitimate entity.
Sudanese Army: RSF’s motive is power and looting
Sudan’s military also dismissed the RSF-led government as illegitimate. Army spokesperson Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah said the move was an attempt by the RSF to deceive its partners and pursue personal ambitions.
“The militia’s so-called government is a tactic to mislead even their partners in betrayal. The real agenda of the Dagalo family is to seize power for selfish, illegitimate goals and impose their racist vision over a country they have never truly belonged to,” he said.
He added that the RSF was “playing every available card,” including acting as a tool for regional agendas beyond their understanding.
Arab League rejects RSF government as threat to peace
The Arab League also condemned the RSF’s declaration, describing it as a “flagrant challenge to the will of the Sudanese people” and a “military attempt to impose a new reality by force.”
In its statement, the League warned that the announcement undermines any potential for a comprehensive political solution and exacerbates violence and displacement already affecting millions of Sudanese civilians.
The organization reaffirmed its opposition to the establishment of parallel governments or administrations outside Sudan’s constitutional and legal framework, warning that such actions threaten to fragment the state and replace lawful governance with armed chaos.
Read more: Sudan gene bank looted as RSF targets vital agriculture tools
