Amid the rising political turmoil in Sudan, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, has threatened to establish a government in areas under his control, with Khartoum as its capital. This warning comes in response to a potential announcement from Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of forming a “war government” in Port Sudan, Eastern Sudan, or if Burhan insists on his “fraudulent” legitimacy as the country’s leader.
In a recent audio message on platform (X), Hemetti cautioned that if the remnants – referring to supporters of former President Bashir and Islamists – create a government in Port Sudan, he will immediately begin consultations to form a true authority in the vast territories he governs. He stressed that Khartoum, the national capital, would serve as its center, negating the establishment of any alternate capital.
Hemetti was pointed in his remarks, mentioning a gathering in Port Sudan, which included members of the National Congress, individuals fleeing justice, and those claiming to be a legitimate authority. He described Burhan’s foreign tours following his departure from the General Command to Port Sudan as an “attempt to impersonate the head of state, despite having no legitimacy.”
The commander warned against the dangers of forming governments in parts of Sudan, viewing such moves as steps towards dividing the country. “Despite our forces controlling most of Sudan, we have not declared a government because we’re not power-seekers and are committed to preserving the unity of Sudan – both its land and people,” Hemetti stated.
Furthermore, he accused Burhan and his supporters, including allies of the previous regime and the Muslim Brotherhood in Port Sudan, of assembling mercenary groups that pose threats to neighboring countries and the Red Sea. Hemetti emphasized the absence of a legitimate authority since the April 2021 coup and highlighted the constitutional collapse post-war on April 15, which completely eroded the de facto – coup government’s – legitimacy.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, Hemetti observed that attempts to establish governments in parts of Sudan and Burhan’s continual illegitimate claims could lead to Sudan’s division. “Burhan failed to maintain his legitimacy in the General Command from which he fled. How can he claim the legitimacy to rule all of Sudan?”
Burhan’s war with Hemetti’s forces was portrayed as an obstruction to the political process and the return to civilian rule. Hemetti suggested that Burhan had a longstanding ambition to become a dictatorial leader, initiating conflict with Bashir’s remnants. “When the remnants started the war, they estimated they’d defeat the Rapid Support Forces in hours. Thankfully, we defeated and thwarted their coup. The Rapid Support now dominates most of Khartoum and vast parts of the country, confirmed by the recent United Nations Security Council report,” said Hemetti.
With an aim to bring the ongoing conflicts to a resolution, Hemetti emphasized the importance of unity. He insisted on preventing the establishment of a “war government” in Port Sudan, warning against scenarios seen in other countries where two factions control different territories. “We don’t want such a scenario. It jeopardizes security, national resources, prolongs wars, and intensifies civilian suffering.”
He emphasized his desire to end the war, restore peace, unify Sudan, establish democratic civil governance, and build a unified professional army. He stated, “We have patiently endured Burhan’s unilateral decisions despite his lack of legitimacy, and therefore, we will not allow anyone to speak on behalf of Sudan or claim any legitimacy.”
He called on political and civil forces aspiring for peace and democracy to shoulder their responsibility in resisting attempts to fragment Sudan, confirming his desire to peacefully end the war and establish a legitimate civil authority to manage the country. He continued, “We call on all Sudanese for a broad dialogue on how to preserve the unity of the country, protect it from the scourges of division, continue the war, and thwart the malicious schemes of the remnants.”
He warned neighboring countries and both regional and international communities about what he termed the dangers of plans to divide Sudan and attempts by the remnants to bring in “mercenaries” to participate in the fighting and destabilize regional and international security. He urged them not to recognize any move of this nature.
