RSF says Dagalo to Lead Presidential Council

Khartoum/Nyala, Sudan – July 27,2025 – 

Sudan’s devastating civil war has taken a dangerous new turn with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied groups formally announcing the formation of a parallel government. This dramatic move, unveiled over the weekend, names General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), the commander of the RSF, as the head of a new 15-member presidential council, effectively creating a rival administration to the internationally recognized government based in Port Sudan.

The declaration by the RSF-led “Tasis Alliance” from the RSF-controlled city of Nyala, in the western Darfur region, is poised to significantly deepen the protracted conflict that has ravaged Sudan for over two years. Analysts warn that this development risks cementing a de facto partition of the country, transforming the civil war from a struggle for control into a battle between two competing states.

A Challenge to Legitimacy and a Bid for Recognition:

The Tasis Alliance, a coalition of armed groups and political factions that signed a charter in February outlining their vision for a “secular, democratic, non-centralized state,” aims to challenge the legitimacy of the military-led government headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. By forming its own government, the RSF seeks to gain international recognition, boost its bargaining position in any future peace talks, and potentially secure advanced arms imports.

General Dagalo’s appointment to lead the presidential council signifies a clear attempt by the RSF to present itself as a state authority rather than merely a militia. The council reportedly includes regional governors for areas under RSF control, and civilian politician Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi, a former member of Sudan’s transitional sovereign council (2019-2021), has been named as prime minister. Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), one of the country’s largest rebel groups, was named Dagalo’s deputy.

Khartoum’s Rejection and International Concerns:

The internationally recognized government in Port Sudan swiftly condemned the RSF’s announcement, branding it a “fake government” and urging the international community to refrain from any engagement with the RSF-led administration. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry stated that any engagement would constitute an infringement on Sudan’s legitimate authority and sovereignty.

This move comes just days before a new round of Sudan peace talks is set to begin on July 29 in the United States, raising concerns that the formation of a parallel government could severely complicate these negotiations. Experts suggest it could incentivize armed groups to further consolidate power in hopes of securing a position within one of the two administrations, thereby entrenching war dynamics.

Humanitarian Crisis Worsens:

The political fragmentation further exacerbates Sudan’s dire humanitarian crisis. The ongoing conflict has displaced millions and left half of the country’s 50 million population facing spreading hunger and famine. With two rival administrations now vying for control, the challenges of delivering aid and establishing stability are set to become even more formidable.

The RSF, which grew out of the notorious Janjaweed militias, has been accused of widespread atrocities, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly in the Darfur region. General Dagalo himself was sanctioned by the U.S. earlier this year, accused of involvement in committing genocide. While the RSF denies these allegations, the establishment of a parallel government by a group with such a history will likely face significant skepticism and resistance on the international stage.