The Forces of Freedom and Change, the main civilian political coalition in Sudan, warned on Friday that the country could face division and descend into a prolonged civil war if the two military factions form rival governments. This warning comes after Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, threatened to establish a governing authority in the areas under his control in Sudan.
In a statement published on their Facebook page, the Forces of Freedom and Change expressed their deep concern about the rising indications of the warring parties threatening to create a government in their respective controlled areas, describing it as a very dangerous situation that could lead to the fragmentation and division of the country.
The statement emphasized, “The Forces of Freedom and Change affirm their complete rejection of this direction, which sows the seeds of fragmentation of Sudanese unity and deepens the conflict, widening the scope of war, paving the way for it to transform into a comprehensive civil war.”
In a voice message issued late Thursday evening, Hemedti raised the possibility that the Rapid Support Forces might form a government in Khartoum, warning that any move by the army to establish a caretaker government in Port Sudan would lead to the division of the country.
Last month, a senior official in the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, led by Army Chief General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, stated that there is a need to form a caretaker government.
The army and Rapid Support Forces shared power with the Forces of Freedom and Change after the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir following a popular uprising in 2019. The army and Rapid Support Forces executed a coup in 2021 before diverging over a planned transition to civil rule that was to lead to elections.
The fighting between the two sides has led to a humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where the number of displaced people has surpassed that of any other country. The International Organization for Migration reported that more than 4.1 million people have been displaced since April, with over 1.1 million fleeing to neighboring countries.
