Sudan is facing further turmoil as the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) announced the establishment of an alternate government on Wednesday, coinciding with a relentless military offensive in western Darfur that has reportedly caused the exodus of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians from a famine-affected camp.
The declaration raises alarms about a potential schism within the country, as the R.S.F. asserts control over large areas in western and southern Sudan, while the official military continues to dominate the north and east, including the capital, Khartoum. Both factions have been implicated in numerous human rights violations.
Leading the R.S.F., Gen. Mohamed Hamdan shared limited insights into this newly formed governance, proclaiming it as one carefully designed to include a diverse array of ethnicities that represent “the true face of Sudan.” This notion of inclusivity mirrors long-standing aspirations from pro-democracy activists demanding change from the military's stringent control over governance.
However, these proclamations clash starkly with the R.S.F.’s ongoing violent actions. The paramilitary unit has intensified its offensive as of Friday, targeting the Zamzam camp in El Fasher — the last significant urban area in Darfur beyond their influence. Recent reports from the United Nations indicate that at least 300 individuals were killed during the siege, with up to 400,000 people displaced within just a few days.
Aid workers report that Zamzam, which had previously sheltered approximately 500,000 individuals and was declared a famine zone last August, now stands nearly deserted. Many fleeing residents, estimated at a staggering 30,000, have sought refuge in Tawila, located about 50 miles to the west, arriving in dire conditions marked by dehydration, malnutrition, and the psychological scars of their traumatic experiences.
