R. S. F. Coalition Names Leadersof Sudans Parallel Government

Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, July 27th 2025 at 16:29 GMT by The New York Times
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The move by a paramilitary-led coalition may make it even harder for the African country to hold together.

Sudan's Fractured Path: RSF and Government Forces Clash Amid Humanitarian Catastrophe

In the scorched heart of Sudan, where the Nile's waters carve through arid landscapes, a brutal civil war continues to unravel the nation's fragile fabric. As of mid-2025, the conflict between the Sudanese government, led by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo—widely known as Hemedti—shows no signs of abating. What began as a power struggle in April 2023 has metastasized into one of the world's most devastating humanitarian crises, with millions displaced, widespread famine looming, and allegations of war crimes echoing through international corridors.

The roots of this conflict trace back to the 2019 ousting of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, which initially sparked hope for democratic transition. However, tensions between the SAF and RSF, former allies in the transitional government, erupted into open warfare when negotiations over integrating the RSF into the national army collapsed. The RSF, a force born from the Janjaweed militias infamous for their role in the Darfur genocide, has since positioned itself as a defender of marginalized regions, while the SAF claims to represent the sovereignty of the state. This narrative divide has only deepened ethnic and regional fault lines, turning Khartoum and other urban centers into battlegrounds littered with the remnants of shattered lives.

Recent developments, as reported from the front lines, paint a grim picture of escalation. In the past six months leading up to July 2025, RSF forces have made significant territorial gains in western Sudan, particularly in Darfur, where they control vast swaths of land rich in gold mines—a key revenue source funding their operations. Eyewitness accounts from refugees fleeing to Chad describe RSF fighters launching coordinated assaults on SAF-held positions, using drones and heavy artillery acquired through shadowy international networks. One such offensive in El Fasher, the last major SAF stronghold in North Darfur, resulted in the displacement of over 200,000 people in a single week. Civilians caught in the crossfire recount harrowing tales of indiscriminate bombings, sexual violence, and forced recruitment, with RSF accused of systematically targeting ethnic groups perceived as loyal to the government.

On the government side, General Burhan's administration, operating from Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast after losing control of much of the capital, has ramped up its rhetoric and military efforts. Backed by elements of the old regime and some regional allies, the SAF has conducted airstrikes on RSF supply lines, aiming to choke off their resources. However, these operations have often hit civilian infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian toll. In a rare public address last month, Burhan vowed to "eradicate the rebellion," framing the RSF as foreign-backed mercenaries—a nod to allegations of UAE and Russian involvement in arming Hemedti's forces. Meanwhile, the RSF has countered by portraying Burhan as a relic of Bashir's authoritarian era, appealing to international sympathy by highlighting government blockades on aid deliveries.

The humanitarian fallout is nothing short of catastrophic. Sudan's economy, already battered by decades of mismanagement, has collapsed under the weight of war. Inflation soars, and the agricultural heartlands in the Gezira scheme—once the breadbasket of the region—lie fallow due to fighting and displacement. The United Nations has declared a famine in parts of Darfur and Kordofan, with over 25 million people—half the population—facing acute food insecurity. Malnourished children with distended bellies crowd makeshift clinics, while cholera outbreaks ravage IDP camps swollen with refugees. Aid organizations, hampered by bureaucratic hurdles and active combat zones, struggle to deliver essentials. One aid worker, speaking anonymously from a camp near the Ethiopian border, described scenes of desperation: "Families are eating leaves and boiling leather to survive. The world is watching, but the aid trickles in like a desert stream."

International responses have been a patchwork of condemnation and inaction. The African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have mediated talks in Jeddah and elsewhere, but cease-fires crumble within days. The United States and European Union have imposed sanctions on key figures from both sides, yet enforcement remains spotty. Russia and the UAE are accused of fueling the conflict through arms and gold trade, with Wagner Group mercenaries reportedly training RSF units in exchange for mining concessions. Egypt, backing Burhan due to Nile water concerns, has provided covert support, while Ethiopia and Chad grapple with spillover effects, including refugee influxes straining their own resources.

Amid the chaos, glimmers of resilience emerge from Sudan's civil society. Grassroots networks, often led by women who were at the forefront of the 2019 revolution, organize mutual aid in besieged neighborhoods. In Omdurman, across the Nile from Khartoum, community kitchens feed thousands daily, defying sniper fire and shortages. Activists use social media to document atrocities, pressuring global leaders for accountability. Yet, these efforts are overshadowed by the war's atrocities: mass graves discovered in RSF-controlled areas, reports of ethnic cleansing in Darfur reminiscent of the early 2000s, and government forces accused of torturing detainees in makeshift prisons.

Looking ahead, experts warn that without a unified international push, Sudan risks fragmentation. Scenarios range from a partitioned state—with RSF carving out an autonomous western enclave—to a prolonged stalemate that could draw in more foreign powers, potentially igniting a wider regional conflict. Peace talks scheduled for August in Geneva offer a faint hope, but skepticism abounds. Hemedti, in a recent interview from an undisclosed location, expressed willingness to negotiate but demanded recognition of RSF's role in a future government. Burhan, conversely, insists on total RSF disarmament.

The war's human stories underscore its tragedy. Take Fatima, a 35-year-old teacher from Khartoum, who fled with her three children after RSF fighters looted her home. Now in a camp in South Sudan, she dreams of returning to educate the next generation. Or Ahmed, a former SAF soldier turned deserter, haunted by orders to shell civilian areas. These voices, amid the din of artillery, remind us that Sudan's conflict is not just about power but about a nation's soul, torn between authoritarian legacies and democratic aspirations.

As the sun sets over the Nile, casting long shadows on war-torn streets, the question lingers: Can Sudan heal, or will it succumb to the cycle of violence that has plagued it for decades? The international community, long criticized for its selective attention to African crises, must decide whether to intervene decisively or watch another generation perish in the sands. For now, the guns speak louder than diplomacy, and Sudan's people bear the cost.

In Darfur's vast expanses, where nomadic herders once roamed freely, RSF convoys now patrol dusty roads, enforcing a tenuous order amid anarchy. Reports from local journalists detail how gold mining operations, controlled by RSF affiliates, generate millions, funneled back into the war machine. This economic dimension adds layers to the conflict, as both sides vie for control of resources like oil in the south and ports in the east. The government's blockade of RSF areas has led to accusations of using starvation as a weapon, a tactic condemned by human rights groups.

Further complicating matters are the roles of non-state actors. Islamist militias, remnants of Bashir's era, have aligned with the SAF, injecting ideological fervor into the fight. On the RSF side, alliances with tribal leaders in marginalized regions bolster their ranks but fuel ethnic tensions. In Blue Nile state, clashes have displaced indigenous communities, threatening biodiversity hotspots and traditional ways of life.

The diaspora, scattered across Europe, the Middle East, and North America, plays a crucial role in advocacy. Sudanese professionals abroad remit funds to support families and lobby for intervention. Social media campaigns, like #SudanUprising, amplify calls for justice, drawing parallels to conflicts in Yemen and Syria.

Yet, the psychological toll is immense. Mental health crises surge among survivors, with PTSD rampant in a society where therapy is a luxury. Children, robbed of education, join armed groups out of necessity, perpetuating the cycle.

As 2025 progresses, the rainy season could alter dynamics, flooding roads and hindering movements, potentially forcing a de facto truce. But without genuine political will, such respites are fleeting. The path to peace demands inclusive dialogue, addressing root causes like inequality and governance failures. Until then, Sudan's story remains one of resilience amid ruin, a testament to human endurance in the face of unrelenting strife. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full The New York Times Article at:
[ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/world/africa/sudan-rsf-government.html ]

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R. S. F. Coalition Names Leadersof Sudans Parallel Government

Sudan's Fractured Path: RSF and Government Forces Clash Amid Humanitarian Catastrophe