In an unexpected move, the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has formed a civilian administration for Al-Gazira State in central Sudan.
The new administration comprises 31 members, led by Sadiq Ahmed. This decision follows chaos in the state since the military pulled out from the Wad Madani base in December last year, which the RSF took over.
The RSF announced the formation of a civil council, electing Ahmed as its leader. The election took place with participation from local civil society members.
This development raised concerns about power-sharing between the Sudanese army and the RSF in civilian matters.
Following his election, Ahmed held a press conference in Gezira’s capital, Wad Madani.
He promised to establish a strong foundation for federal governance despite challenges and appealed to citizens to return home, condemning military airstrikes on their houses.
Reacting to the move, Faisal Mohammed Salih, a veteran Sudanese journalist and political analyst, told Radio Tamazuj, “The step may exacerbate divisions and lead to the establishment of different governments.”
“I understand this reality, but the gross violations committed by the RSF in those areas cannot be denied, including killings and looting.” He considered the establishment of the civil administration by the RSF an attempt to stop those violations.
He added that the challenge lies in whether or not the new civil administration has the will and capability to stop these violations.
Meanwhile, political analyst Ammar Awad believes the move is ineffective and may further fuel the conflict. He pointed out that this new administration’s ineffectiveness lies in its inability to provide government services to citizens, especially those related to state sovereignty.
He said, “Aside from governmental procedures, this administration will not be able to provide agricultural services to farmers in the Al-Gazira scheme.”
Sheikh Al-Rayyah Al-Ahmedi, a community leader in Al-Gazira State, said: “The formation of the civil administration is a new political innovation that we have not heard of before. The RSF has invented it as merely a painkiller they would like to give to the community due to the immense suffering of the people of Al-Gazira State.”
The community leader says the new civil administration is doomed to fail as the RSF cannot supervise and guide it.
Apart from Al-Gezira State, the RSF controls South Darfur, West Darfur, Central Darfur, and East Darfur states.