Khartoum, Sudan – more than two years into a brutal civil war, Sudan is facing a deepened political schism as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the formation of a parallel government, further challenging the authority of the country's military-led administration. the move comes amid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with famine conditions spreading and millions displaced by a conflict marked by extreme violence and accusations of war crimes.
In late july 2025, the RSF and its political allies unveiled the Leadership Council of the Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS), a new governing body aimed at creating a secular "New Sudan." the council is chaired by RSF commander general Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, with rebel leader Abdel Aziz al-Hilu as his deputy and civilian politician Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi appointed as prime minister. this formalizes a rival power structure, complicating any future peace efforts and threatening to prolong the war.
The political announcement occurred even as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) regained control of the capital, Khartoum, and surrounding areas. this military success has prompted some displaced Sudanese to return, with weekly trains from Egypt, funded by sudanese businessmen, bringing home over 190,000 people in 2025. despite the army's gains in the capital, intense fighting continues to devastate the Kordofan and Darfur regions.
The human toll of the conflict, which began in april 2023, is staggering. the war has displaced over 12 million people, including more than 4 million who have fled to neighboring countries. sudan's healthcare system has collapsed, leading to widespread disease and malnutrition. according to the Sudan Doctors Network, 13 children died from malnutrition-related causes in july at the Lagawa displacement camp in East Darfur, which hosts over 7,000 people. UNICEF has reported a dramatic rise in severe acute malnutrition, treating over 40,000 children in North Darfur alone this year — double the number from a year ago. famine conditions have been officially detected in parts of Darfur and Kordofan.
Both the SAF and the RSF have been accused of severe human rights abuses, including ethnic cleansing, extrajudicial killings, and widespread sexual violence. the International Criminal Court (ICC) has indicted RSF leaders for crimes including genocide and war crimes.
On the international front, the United States' Trump administration has shifted its diplomatic attention to Sudan, planning an upcoming summit in Washington. the meeting is expected to involve foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to coordinate a unified response. however, the effort has faced early criticism, particularly after a request from Egypt to include representatives from the Sudanese Armed Forces was denied, and concerns have been raised about the administration's lack of experienced Sudan analysts.
As the nation splinters politically and the fighting rages on in its western and southern regions, the future of Sudan remains fraught with uncertainty. with two competing governments, an unabated humanitarian disaster, and a complex international diplomatic landscape, the path to peace and stability for the sudanese people appears more distant than ever.