Sudan's RSF Leader General Mohamed Dagalo is inaugurated as the head of a parallel administration based in Darfur.

In the heart of Sudan, a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to the establishment of parallel governments in different regions of the country.

Earlier this year, the Sudanese army regained control of the capital Khartoum as well as central and eastern regions. However, the western Darfur region, primarily controlled by the RSF, has been a hotbed of conflict.

Gen Mohamed Dagalo, commander of the RSF, was sworn in as the head of a parallel government based in Darfur. The ceremony took place in Nyala, a city that has been serving as the de facto capital controlled by the RSF in that region. The swearing-in was conducted by the head of the judiciary, judge Ramadan Shimila. Thirteen members of a presidential council appointed by Gen Dagalo were sworn in as well, including eight provincial governors.

The fight for El Fasher, another city in Darfur, has been ongoing since May last year. Though the RSF has besieged the city, the army and its local allies have held firm thus far. The struggle for El Fasher has created one of the worst hunger pockets in Sudan, with residents reportedly eating animal feed due to the crisis.

The RSF has also been accused of constructing physical barriers around El Fasher, preventing civilians from leaving. Hundreds of civilians, including children, have been killed in the crossfire. Those who have managed to escape report violent attacks and robberies by RSF soldiers.

The civil war between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has resulted in the death of tens of thousands, displacement of more than 13 million, and a grave humanitarian crisis that has left half of Sudan's 50 million people hungry.

The new administration held its first meeting last week, with Gen Dagalo vowing to create a secular and democratic Sudan where the law reigns above all. He also stated that the formation of the parallel government marks the beginning of the end of suffering by the Sudanese people due to displacement and exile.

Meanwhile, a military-backed government sits in Port Sudan on the Red Sea in the eastern part of the country. The situation remains volatile, and the international community is closely monitoring the developments in Sudan.

As the conflict continues, the hope for peace and stability in Sudan remains elusive, with the people of Sudan bearing the brunt of the ongoing civil war.

Sudan's RSF Leader General Mohamed Dagalo is inaugurated as the head of a parallel administration based in Darfur.