On February 20, 2025, Sudan’s paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), announced the formation of a breakaway government, marking a significant escalation in the country’s ongoing civil war. This declaration comes 22 months after the RSF launched a violent conflict against Sudan’s military rulers. The war has devastated the country, causing tens of thousands of deaths and displacing more than 12 million people. The scale of the crisis has placed Sudan among the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.
The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has long been a powerful faction in Sudan. Once closely aligned with the country’s military, the RSF now claims full control over parts of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, as well as key regions such as Darfur and South Kordofan. The group’s rise to power has been accompanied by severe violence, including the use of child soldiers, ethnic cleansing, and the forced displacement of countless civilians. The situation in Darfur, in particular, has drawn international condemnation due to the RSF’s brutal tactics and disregard for civilian lives.
With the RSF’s announcement of a breakaway government, concerns have mounted regarding the potential fragmentation and further destabilization of Sudan. The central government, already weakened by internal divisions and the ongoing violence, is struggling to maintain control over key territories. This fragmentation threatens to deepen the country’s political and social rifts, as the RSF’s decision undermines any hope of national unity and complicates efforts for peace. Despite calls for a ceasefire and renewed peace negotiations from international bodies like the United Nations and the African Union, the RSF’s move represents a major obstacle to any peace process.
The breakaway government also raises serious concerns for Sudan’s relations with neighboring countries, especially Chad and Libya. Both nations have been drawn into Sudan’s conflict due to historical ties with various Sudanese rebel groups. As the RSF strengthens its hold on strategic areas, the conflict risks spilling over into the broader Sahel region, where instability is already high. The growing influence of the RSF could escalate regional tensions and lead to a more widespread, destructive conflict that further destabilizes an already volatile area.
International reaction to the RSF’s actions has been one of grave concern, with calls for immediate de-escalation and a focus on negotiations. The Sudanese military and opposition forces are under increasing pressure to come to the table for peace talks. However, with the RSF’s unilateral move to form a breakaway government, achieving a peaceful resolution appears increasingly difficult. The future of Sudan hangs in the balance as the conflict continues to unfold, with the international community urging all parties to prioritize diplomacy over further violence.
