• A Sudanese coalition led by the RSF has announced a parallel government, intensifying the civil conflict.
• The new government challenges the legitimacy of the military-led administration in Sudan.
• RSF's actions could deepen the humanitarian crisis already affecting millions in Sudan.
• Both the RSF and the military continue to engage in violent confrontations across the country.
• Humanitarian agencies warn that the ongoing war has created widespread displacement and food insecurity.

A coalition led by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has announced the formation of a parallel government, a move anticipated to escalate the ongoing civil conflict that has gripped the nation since 2023. The RSF, under General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, revealed the new government's structure, including a prime minister and a 15-member presidential council, during a press conference held in Nyala, South Darfur. This development poses a formidable challenge to the existing military-aligned administration, exacerbating tensions and potential fragmentation within the nation, according to Reuters, TRT Global, and Africa News.

The RSF has appointed seasoned politician Mohamed Hassan al-Ta'ayshi as prime minister, with significant backing from various regional militias. This government aims to establish a "New Sudan," which RSF leaders assert will promote a "secular, democratic" structure in direct opposition to the military's control. The announcement has drawn condemnation from Sudan's recognized military government, describing the RSF's formation as a “phantom government,” indicating a severe disconnection from the realities faced by Sudanese citizens, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

Despite holding considerable territory in Darfur, where the RSF has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including violence against civilians, the coalition’s efforts face staunch opposition from the military faction led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The latter has vowed to reclaim control over all of Sudan, further complicating any prospect of peace. Humanitarian experts have warned that the ongoing violence and the RSF's latest ambitions could aggravate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation, with millions facing hunger and displacement, according to Los Angeles Times and TRT Global.

Efforts to mediate the conflict have repeatedly faltered, with both sides escalating their military engagements, leaving the population in dire straits. Currently, the UN estimates that up to 14 million individuals have been displaced from their homes, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid amidst ongoing fighting and governance challenges. The RSF's announcement of a parallel structure risks further dividing the country along military and political lines, resembling the fragmentation seen in other conflict zones like Libya, according to Africa News and TRT Global.