Sudan’s military faction RSF threatens to form its own government

The commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has threatened to form his own government with Khartoum as its capital if the army sets up an administration in the eastern city of Port Sudan.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lt Gen Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, said the RSF had shown “great patience regarding al-Burhan’s individual decisions despite his illegitimacy”, referring to army chief Lt Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

“We will not allow anyone to speak on behalf of Sudan and claim legitimacy,” the RSF leader added.

The RSF leader’s threat followed state media reports that the military-led government plans to build a presidential palace and the headquarters of its foreign ministry in Port Sudan in the Red Sea state.

The city has been serving as the government’s operating base since a deadly conflict broke out between the regular army and the RSF in Khartoum in mid-April.