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TimesLIVE
04-08-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
The two rival governments that could split Sudan
Sudanese paramilitaries are forming a parallel government to the one controlled by the country's army, pushing Sudan further towards de facto division, political analysts say. After more than two years of war that has caused waves of ethnic killings, famine and massive displacement, Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are currently fighting for control of al-Fashir — the army's last foothold in the western Darfur region, an RSF stronghold. A coalition led by the RSF announced the members of a parallel government last week. While it has not yet established institutions or been recognised, analysts say a potential breakaway of its territory could precipitate another split in Sudan, following the 2011 secession of South Sudan. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? Sudan's army and the RSF worked together in 2021 to oust the civilian politicians who took over from President Omar al-Bashir's toppled government two years earlier. But in April 2023 war broke out between them over a push to integrate RSF fighters into the armed forces. The RSF took over swathes of the country, though the army pushed them out of the capital Khartoum and towards the west earlier this year.
Straits Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Explainer-The two rival governments that could split Sudan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: A Sudanese man waits next to his luggage, as families displaced by conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) crowd at Cairo's main station to board a free train with a voluntary return coordinated by the Egyptian government to Aswan, where buses will take them back to their homes in Khartoum, in Cairo, Egypt July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File Photo CAIRO/DUBAI - Sudanese paramilitaries are forming a parallel government to the one controlled by the country's army, pushing Sudan further towards de facto division, political analysts say. After more than two years of war that has caused waves of ethnic killings, famine and massive displacement, Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are currently fighting for control of al-Fashir - the army's last foothold in the western Darfur region, an RSF stronghold. A coalition led by the RSF announced the members of a parallel government last week. While it has not yet established institutions or been recognised, analysts say a potential breakaway of its territory could precipitate another split in Sudan, following the 2011 secession of South Sudan. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? Sudan's army and the RSF worked together in 2021 to oust the civilian politicians who took over from President Omar al-Bashir's toppled government two years earlier. But in April 2023, war broke out between them over a push to integrate RSF fighters into the armed forces. The RSF took over swathes of the country, though the army pushed them out of the capital Khartoum and towards the west earlier this year. Throughout the war, the RSF has called the internationally recognised army-led government illegitimate, and has taken steps to create its own, parallel administration. In May, the army installed a prime minister, Kamil Idris, who has in turn begun appointing ministers to a new "Hope Government". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 'For one last time, let's go home': Tears, laughs as last scheduled Jetstar Asia flight touches down Singapore Over half of job applications by retrenched Jetstar Asia staff led to offers or interviews: CEO Singapore No entry: ICA to bar high-risk, undesirable travellers from boarding S'pore-bound ships, flights Singapore 5 foreign women suspected of trafficking 27kg of cocaine nabbed in Changi Airport Singapore Fallen tree branch damages two Yishun flats, showering one home owner in shattered glass Singapore Man accused of raping woman who hired him to fix lights in her flat claims she made first move Singapore 1 ticket wins $12.8 million Toto jackpot draw Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family' His cabinet's formation has been hindered by disputes between army leaders and the heads of former rebel groups who have joined the war against the RSF. Some cabinet members also have ties to Bashir's former party, reflecting the army's need for Islamist support. WHAT DOES EACH SIDE CONTROL? From its wartime capital of Port Sudan on the Red Sea, Sudan's army has maintained control of Sudan's northern and eastern states. Earlier this year, it also regained its central states and Khartoum, where it says it will relocate. The RSF quickly seized most of Darfur with the exception of al-Fashir, where fighting continues, causing mass hunger. The paramilitary also allied with the SPLM-N rebel group, which controls swathes of South Kordofan state on the border with South Sudan. The oil-rich West Kordofan and North Kordofan states are also still being fought over. More recently, the RSF has taken control of the northern "border triangle" with Libya and Egypt, expanding the international borders of the territory it controls. HOW DID THE RSF SET UP ITS GOVERNMENT? In February, the RSF formed the "Tasis" coalition with several Sudanese political factions and rebel groups, aiming to build what they said would be a single government for all of Sudan. In May, the coalition signed a constitution establishing a parliament and cabinet. Then in July, the coalition announced the formation of a presidential council led by RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, with the SPLM-N's Hilu as his deputy. The council also included regional governors and a prime minister, former government official Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SUDAN? Analysts say the formation of the parallel governments could lead to a Libya-like stalemate or even worse fragmentation as other armed groups claim their own territories and follow the RSF's lead. Both governments could also struggle to secure the international cooperation they need to rebuild Sudan's shattered economy and infrastructure. No states have so far moved to recognise the RSF's parallel government, which the U.N. and African Union have condemned. Militias have also proliferated across RSF territory, helping the paramilitary push forward but also proving hard to control. The seat of the RSF government, Nyala, in southern Darfur, has seen growing crime, including kidnappings, as well as protests by residents and soldiers. It has also been targeted frequently by army air and drone strikes. The army's coalition, including former rebel groups and tribal militias, is similarly fragile. And while the army has international recognition, with support from regional powers such as Egypt, many countries remain hesitant to deal with it because of the 2021 coup and the influence of Islamists. Like Dagalo, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is under U.S. sanctions. REUTERS
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First Post
30-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
‘Phantom government': African Union rejects rival regime in Sudan
The African Union said on Wednesday it would not recognize a 'so-called parallel government' in Sudan, urging its members to follow suit. read more Deputy head of Sudan's sovereign council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo speaks during a press conference at Rapid Support Forces head quarter in Khartoum, Sudan February 19, 2023. REUTERS The African Union (AU) has firmly dismissed the legitimacy of a newly declared rival administration in Sudan, warning that recognising such a parallel government could derail fragile peace efforts and threaten the country's territorial integrity. In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the AU's Peace and Security Council urged its member states and the broader international community to reject what it described as the 'so-called parallel government.' The Council warned that any recognition of the breakaway authority—reportedly set up by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied groups—would have 'serious consequences on the peace efforts and the existential future of the country.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The declaration of a rival regime came last Saturday from RSF-aligned forces in western Sudan, particularly in the conflict-ridden Darfur region. The move has raised alarm among observers, as the RSF stands accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity amid Sudan's ongoing civil conflict. Sudan has been gripped by violence since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the national army and the RSF, leading to widespread displacement, a deepening humanitarian crisis, and the collapse of governance structures in many regions. The AU reiterated its commitment to Sudan's sovereignty and unity, calling on all stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue rather than deepen divisions through unilateral political manoeuvres. The RSF-led Tasis Alliance appointed Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of the paramilitary group, as head of the sovereign council in the new administration. The 15-member council serves as head of the state. The RSF grew out of the notorious Janjaweed militias, mobilized two decades ago by then-President Omar al-Bashir against populations that identify as Central or East African in Darfur. The Janjaweed were accused of mass killings, rapes and other atrocities. In the current war, the RSF has been accused of numerous atrocities. The Biden administration slapped Dagalo with sanctions, saying the RSF and its proxies were committing genocide. The RSF has denied committing genocide. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The ongoing conflict has devastated Sudan, creating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the country, with half the population facing spreading hunger and famine, according to the United Nations. With inputs from agencies
The South African
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
South Africa to get TWO new significant laws
South Africa's justice system is on the brink of significant reform as two landmark Bills – one targeting international fugitives and the other revolutionising divorce law – make their way through parliament. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, under newly appointed Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, has introduced legislation aimed at aligning South Africa's legal framework with global standards while addressing domestic inequities in family law. At the heart of the reform is the International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Amendment Bill, which will allow South Africa to fully cooperate with international bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) – a gap previously exposed in high-profile cases involving leaders like Omar al-Bashir and Vladimir Putin. The bill introduces audio-visual testimony from foreign witnesses and experts – modernising a system that, since 1996, has relied solely on in-person procedures. This change is expected to speed up investigations, reduce costs, and enhance accessibility. More significantly, the bill gives South African authorities the legal standing to arrest and extradite individuals at the request of international bodies, not just sovereign states. This closes a critical loophole that previously left the country in murky legal waters during global diplomatic stand-offs. Parallel to the international law changes, the General (Family) Laws Amendment Bill, 2025 aims to correct decades of inequality for South Africans – particularly women – trapped in unfair matrimonial regimes. The proposed legislation will allow for a fair redistribution of assets in divorces where couples were married out of community of property and without the accrual system introduced in 1984. It will also allow for redistribution claims when a spouse dies – an option previously unavailable under the law. These changes follow a 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that found the existing marriage laws to be unconstitutional, citing unfair economic consequences for non-working or caregiving spouses. The bill will further amend the Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters Act, expanding the role of the Family Advocate to better protect financially vulnerable individuals during divorce proceedings. This marks a move toward holistic family support, especially in cases involving older women who were unaware of the financial risks associated with their marriage contracts. Both bills are now on a legislative fast track, although public consultations and parliamentary debate are expected in the coming months. Legal experts have hailed the proposals as long-overdue, noting their potential to enhance justice, accountability, and fairness across the board. 'These changes represent a critical step in modernising our legal system,' said one Johannesburg-based family law attorney. 'We are finally giving voice to those previously sidelined – both in global justice and at home.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sudan war: A simple guide to what is happening
Sudan plunged into a civil war in April 2023 after a vicious struggle for power broke out between its army and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It has led to a famine and claims of a genocide in the western Darfur region. More than 150,000 people have died in the conflict across the country, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has called the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Here is what you need to know. Sudan is in north-east Africa and is one of the largest countries on the continent, covering 1.9 million sq km (734,000 sq miles). It borders seven countries and the Red Sea. The River Nile also flows through it, making it a strategically important for foreign powers. The population of Sudan is predominantly Muslim and the country's official languages are Arabic and English. Even before the war started, Sudan was one of the poorest countries in the world - despite the fact that it is a gold-producing nation. Its 46 million people were living on an average annual income of $750 (£600) a head in 2022. The conflict has made things much worse. Last year, Sudan's finance minister said state revenues had shrunk by 80%. The civil war is the latest episode in bouts of tension that followed the 2019 ousting of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup in 1989. There were huge street protests calling for an end to his near-three decade rule and the army mounted a coup to get rid of him. But civilians continued to campaign for the introduction of democracy. A joint military-civilian government was then established but that was overthrown in another coup in October 2021. The coup was staged by the two men at the centre of the current conflict: Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the armed forces and in effect the country's president And his deputy, RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as "Hemedti". But then Gen Burhan and Gen Dagalo disagreed on the direction the country was going in and the proposed move towards civilian rule. The main sticking points were plans to incorporate the 100,000-strong RSF into the army, and who would then lead the new force. The suspicions were that both generals wanted to hang on to their positions of power, unwilling to lose wealth and influence. Shooting between the two sides began on 15 April 2023 following days of tension as members of the RSF were redeployed around the country in a move that the army saw as a threat. It is disputed who fired the first shot but the fighting swiftly escalated, with the RSF seizing much of Khartoum until the army regained control of it almost two years later in March 2025. The two generals fighting over Sudan's future The RSF was formed in 2013 and has its origins in the notorious Janjaweed militia that brutally fought rebels in Darfur, where they were accused of genocide and ethnic cleansing against the region's non-Arab population. Since then, Gen Dagalo has built a powerful force that has intervened in conflicts in Yemen and Libya. He also controls some of Sudan's gold mines, and allegedly smuggles the metal to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The army accuses the UAE of backing the RSF, and carrying out drone strikes in Sudan. The oil-rich Gulf state denies the allegation. The army also accuses eastern Libyan strongman Gen Khalifa Haftar of supporting the RSF by helping it to smuggle weapons into Sudan, and sending fighters to bolster the RSF. In early June 2025, the RSF achieved a major victory when it took control of territory along Sudan's border with Libya and Egypt. The RSF also controls almost all of Darfur and much of neighbouring Kordofan. It has declared plans to form a rival government, raising fears that Sudan could split for a second time - South Sudan seceded in 2011, taking with it most of the country's oil fields. The military controls most of the north and the east. Its main backer is said to be Egypt, whose fortunes are intertwined with those of Sudan because they share a border and the waters of the River Nile. Gen Burhan has turned Port Sudan - which is on the Red Sea - into his headquarters, and that of his UN-recognised government. However, the city is not safe - the RSF launched a devastating drone strike there in March. This was retaliation after the RSF suffered one of its biggest setbacks, when it lost control of much of Khartoum - including the Republican Palace - to the army in March. "Khartoum is free, it's done," Gun Burhan declared, as he triumphantly returned to the city, though not permanently. Some analysts say the conflict is in a strategic stalemate and the army still does not have total control of Khartoum, despite deploying newly acquired weapons from Egypt, Turkey, Qatar and Iran. The city is a burnt-out shell: government ministries, banks and towering office blocks stand blackened and burned. The tarmac at the international airport is a graveyard of smashed planes, its passport and check-in counters covered in ash. Hospitals and clinics have also been destroyed, hit by air strikes and artillery fire, sometimes with patients still inside. The army has also managed to win back near total control of the crucial state of Gezira. Losing it to the RSF in late 2023 had been a huge blow, forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee its main city of Wad Madani, which had become a refuge for those who had escaped conflict in other parts of the country. El-Fasher is the last major urban centre in Darfur still held by the army and its allies. The RSF has laid siege to the city, causing hundreds of casualties, overwhelming hospitals and blocking food supplies. Month after month of blockade, bombardment and ground attacks have created famine among the residents, with the people of the displaced camp of Zamzam worst-hit. Many Darfuris believe the RSF and allied militias have waged a war aimed at transforming the ethnically mixed region into an Arab-ruled domain. In March 2024, the UN children's agency, Unicef, gave harrowing accounts of armed men raping and sexually assaulting children as young as one. Some children have tried to end their own lives as a result. In the same month, campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it was possible that the RSF and allied militias were carrying out a genocide in Darfur against the Massalit people and other non-Arab communities. Thousands had been killed in el-Geneina city in a campaign of ethnic cleansing with the "apparent objective of at least having them permanently leave the region", it said. HRW added that the widespread killings raised the possibility that the RSF and their allies had "the intent to destroy in whole or in part" the Massalit people. As this could constitute a genocide, it appealed to international bodies and governments to carry out an investigation. A subsequent investigation by a UN team fell short of concluding that a genocide was taking place. Instead, it found that that both the RSF and army had committed war crimes. However, the US determined in January this year that the RSF and allied militias have committed a genocide. "The RSF and allied militias have systematically murdered men and boys - even infants - on an ethnic basis, and deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence," then-Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said. "Those same militias have targeted fleeing civilians, murdering innocent people escaping conflict, and prevented remaining civilians from accessing lifesaving supplies. Based on this information, I have now concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan," he added. This led to the US imposing sanctions on Gen Dagalo, followed by similar measures against Gen Burhan. Sudan's government filed a case against the UAE in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of being complicit in the genocide by funding and arming the RSF. However, the ICJ refused to hear the case, saying that it had no jurisdiction over it. The UAE welcomed its ruling, with an official saying that the Gulf state "bears no responsibility for the conflict". The RSF also denies committing genocide, saying it was not involved in what it describes as a "tribal conflict" in Darfur. But the UN investigators said they had received testimony that RSF fighters taunted non-Arab women during sex attacks with racist slurs and saying they will force them to have "Arab babies". How do you define genocide? There have been several rounds of peace talks in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain - but they have failed. BBC deputy Africa editor Anne Soy says that both sides, especially the army, have shown an unwillingness to agree to a ceasefire. UN health chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has also lamented that there is less global interest in the conflict in Sudan, and other recent conflicts in Africa, compared to crises elsewhere in the world. "I think race is in the play here," he told the BBC in September 2024. The International Crisis Group (ICG) think-tank has called diplomatic efforts to end the war "lacklustre", while Amnesty International has labelled the world's response "woefully inadequate". Humanitarian work has also been badly affected by the decision of the Trump administration to cut aid. Aid volunteers told the BBC that more than 1,100 - or almost 80% - of the emergency food kitchens have been forced to shut, fuelling the perception that Sudan's conflict is the "forgotten war" of the world. 'I lost a baby and then rescued a child dodging air strikes' Sudan in danger of self-destructing as conflict and famine reign From prized artworks to bullet shells: how war devastated Sudan's museums Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
