RSF unveils parallel government in Sudan
On Saturday, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-led Tasis alliance unveiled a parallel government in Sudan. The 15-member Presidential Council, which will assume the role of head of state in the future, is headed by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti. Abdelaziz al-Hilu, head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), was appointed vice-president of the council. According to reports, 47 per cent of government posts went to people associated with the RSF, while the SPLM-N received about a third of the posts. The remaining posts were distributed among smaller political parties belonging to the alliance. Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi, a former member of the Transitional Council (2019–2021), was appointed prime minister of the so-called ‘Government of Peace and Unity.’
The proclamation of the parallel government comes around two years after the outbreak of civil war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in April 2023. The military-backed transitional government in Port Sudan firmly rejected the parallel government as a ‘phantom government.’ There was also sharp criticism internationally. The African Union called on its member states and the international community not to recognise the parallel government and spoke of serious consequences for peace efforts and the future of the country. Representatives of the UN also warned of further fragmentation.
The day after the parallel government was unveiled, Sudan’s Prime Minister KamiI Idris appointed five more cabinet members, including a woman for the first time. This means that 20 of the 22 announced posts in Idris’ so-called ‘government of hope’ are now filled. Idris, who ran as an independent candidate in the 2010 presidential elections, was appointed prime minister in May by Transitional Council President al-Burhan and tasked with forming a civilian transitional government. However, this stagnated due to internal power struggles.
Analysts see the formation of a parallel government as an attempt by the RSF to strengthen its negotiating position after the SAF succeeded in recapturing large parts of the capital Khartoum (Press Review CW 7/2025) at the beginning of the year. It now controls the North, East and large parts of the centre of the country, while the RSF continues to hold areas of Darfur (in the West) and Kordofan (in the South and centre). Back in February, the RSF and allied groups signed a founding charter in Nairobi announcing the formation of a parallel government (Press Review CW 9/2025). The transitional constitution was sharply criticised internationally at the time, with criticism also directed at Kenya, which hosted the talks. The SAF-affiliated government responded by imposing an import ban on Kenya. The Kenyan government rejected accusations of supporting the RSF, emphasising that it had merely provided a neutral platform for dialogue. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also accused of actively supporting the RSF – in this context, the Sudanese government is currently pursuing legal action before the International Court of Justice.
Meanwhile, international mediation efforts have stalled, even though there is great pressure to act in view of the serious humanitarian crisis in the country. The US postponed the Sudan peace talks scheduled for 29 July after the invited parties – Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the US – were unable to agree on a joint statement on the post-war order. Egypt in particular rejected proposals that did not give either the SAF or the RSF a leading role in a post-war transitional government. According to reports, the talks could be rescheduled for September at the UN General Assembly.
Protests in Angola
On Monday, protests against rising fuel prices led to serious riots in the Angolan capital Luanda and other parts of the country. At the beginning of July, the government raised the price of diesel by a third, prompting the Association of Taxi Drivers (ANATA) to call for a three-day strike starting on Monday. The so-called ‘candongueiros’ – privately operated minibuses that handle a large part of urban passenger transport – stopped operating in Luanda and other provinces. Other groups joined the strike. The protests led to some massive clashes with the police.
In several cities, demonstrators erected roadblocks with burning car tyres, damaged vehicles and demanded the resignation of President João Lourenço. As was the case during the protests in mid-July, the security forces took harsh action against some of the protesters. Various media outlets reported that the police used tear gas, smoke grenades and rubber bullets. The police, for their part, reported looting and damage to property. According to the authorities, at least 29 people were killed, including one police officer, over 250 people were injured and more than 1,500 were arrested. Public transport came to a virtual standstill, shops and banks remained closed, and numerous companies called on their employees to stay at home. Consulates and embassies also issued security warnings. The police and military were deployed in increased numbers. On Wednesday, President Lourenço’s cabinet also held a special meeting on the security situation.
In a subsequent statement, the government condemned the unrest and spoke of ‘criminal elements’ that had turned the demonstrations into a ‘threat to security.’ In an interview, Lourenço accused the opposition of exploiting the protests politically to destabilise his government. He emphasised that despite the increase, the price of diesel remained below the international average.
The government’s increase in the price of diesel from 300 to 400 kwanza per litre (around 0.29€ to 0.38€) on 1 July is part of a gradual reduction in subsidies that has been implemented since 2023 with the aim of reducing public debt. Angola is thus complying with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) reform demands with the aim of reducing the previously high subsidies in order to redirect public funds to areas such as education and health care. According to the Ministry of Finance, subsidies amounted to around four per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024.
The rising cost of living as a result of the increase in diesel prices is hitting many people hard: taxi fares have risen by up to 50 per cent, and basic foodstuffs have also become more expensive due to increased transport costs. An increase in the monthly wage to 100,000 kwanza (approx. 95€) announced by the government has not yet been implemented; currently standing at around 70,000 kwanza (approx. 66€). Inflation, unemployment of just under 30 per cent and unresolved social problems are driving growing discontent with Lourenço and the Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA), which has been in power since independence in 1975, and are fuelling the current protests.
The situation in large parts of the country has now calmed down again and local transport has gradually resumed. The first summary proceedings against suspected participants were already initiated on Wednesday, and several people were sentenced to several months’ imprisonment and fines for vandalism and disturbing the peace. The police announced that they would continue to crack down on unrest with increased patrols. Despite the harsh response by the security forces, protest organisers have already announced new demonstrations. The taxi association ANATA also reaffirmed the reasons for the strike and announced that it would continue, but distanced itself from the violence.
In other news
On Sunday, Rwanda’s Nyandungu Eco-Park was awarded the Star Wetland Centre Award as one of 16 wetlands worldwide with outstanding environmental education and visitor experiences. The announcement was made during the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention (COP15) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Located in Rwanda’s capital Kigali, the 121-hectare park – including 70 hectares of wetland and 50 hectares of forest – received the Full Star Award as well as recognitions in the People and Biodiversity categories. Wetland Link International (WLI), a global network of wetland education centres, thus recognises Nyandangu’s role as a model for sustainable restoration, environmental education and public engagement. The restoration of the previously severely degraded wetland began in 2016. Since then, 17,000 trees of 55 native species have been planted, over 200 bird species have returned and around 4,000 green jobs have been created. The park has been open to the public since 2022 and is set to be expanded by 43 hectares in the future. At the same time, the Rwandan government is pursuing the restoration of five further wetlands in Kigali.
Congratulations
The Nigerian women’s national team won the Women`s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a spectacular 3-2 victory over hosts Morocco in the final. After trailing 0-2 in the first half, the players kept their nerve, turned the game around and won the title for the 10th time in 13 editions of the tournament since 1998. Next year, WAFCON 2026 will take place again in Morocco, this time as a qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Congratulations to the Super Falcons, the undisputed number one in African women’s football!
Event notice
On 2 August 2025, the new event series TRANSFER will celebrate its premiere at the Wehrmühle Offsite Location in Berlin. The inaugural edition is dedicated to Burkina Faso and presents an exhibition of contemporary art from the country and its diaspora – including paintings, films, and an installation developed in a workshop held at the Operndorf Afrika, a visionary cultural project founded by Christoph Schlingensief. TRANSFER sees itself as a cultural portal – a bridge between worlds, in this case between Berlin and Ouagadougou. Earlier this year, a partner event already took place in Burkina Faso as part of this ongoing exchange. The exhibition opens at 12:00hrs with free admission. From 16:00hrs, the programme continues with performances, live music, and an interactive drumming workshop featuring a live connection to Ouagadougou.