Unexpectedly, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) formed what the Civil Administration of Governance Affairs in Al-Jazeera State referred to as the “coordination” between them. The new administration stated in a statement that it would work on providing basic services and protecting civilians in coordination with the RSF.
The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, had initially appointed military leaders in the areas under its control, including Commander Abu Aqila Mohamed Ahmed Kekel, who was installed in Al-Jazeera State a week after its takeover. However, they have now appointed a civilian administration headed by Sadek Mohamed and a group of individuals described as elected by the civil administration and civil society organizations in the central Sudanese state.
“The reactions have been mixed.”
The move by the RSF, which has been engaged in a bloody war with the Sudanese army since April, has sparked mixed reactions.
The Sovereign Council, which is controlled by the army, has not issued an official comment on the move, but Deputy Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Shams al-Din al-Kabbashi, downplayed the step. Addressing soldiers and officers of the army in the Kassala region in the east of the country, he stated that the formation of the civilian administration is part of boosting the morale of the soldiers following the recent military victories achieved by the army in Omdurman city.
