Sudan’s protracted two-year civil war has entered a perilous new chapter as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group, has seized complete control of the Darfur region. This development follows the RSF’s expulsion of the Sudanese army from its final stronghold in the area, marking a significant shift in the conflict’s dynamics. The ongoing war has already claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than 14 million people, creating the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis. The capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, has intensified fears that Sudan, Africa’s third-largest nation, may face fragmentation, echoing the secession of South Sudan in 2011. The RSF, led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has roots in the Janjaweed militia, notorious for its role in the Darfur genocide during the early 2000s. Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has emerged as a central figure in Sudanese politics, leveraging his family’s wealth from gold mining and livestock to build a formidable force. The RSF’s rise has been marred by allegations of human rights abuses, including mass displacement, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The group’s expansion has been bolstered by regional alliances, particularly with Gulf states like the UAE, which has been accused of providing support despite denials. As the RSF consolidates its grip on Darfur, the prospect of Sudan’s disintegration looms large, with Dagalo announcing plans to establish a rival government in the territories under his control. The conflict, marked by indiscriminate violence and widespread suffering, shows no signs of abating, leaving the nation’s future in jeopardy.
Sudan war takes a turn as paramilitary force captures Darfur, threatening to split the country
