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Sudan’s RSF Establish Civilian Administration in Gezira State

Members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (AFP)
Members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (AFP)
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Sudan’s RSF Establish Civilian Administration in Gezira State

Members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (AFP)
Members of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (AFP)

In a surprise move, Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have set up a civilian administration for Gezira State in central Sudan.

The team comprises 31 members, led by Sadiq Ahmed. This decision follows chaos in the state since the army withdrew from the Wad Madani base on December 18 last year, which the RSF took over.

The RSF announced the formation of a civil council, electing Ahmed as its head. The election took place with significant participation from local civil society figures.

This development raises concerns about power-sharing between the military and the RSF in civilian matters, similar to situations in other countries in the region.

Apart from Gezira State, the RSF controls West Darfur, South Darfur, Central Darfur, and East Darfur states. However, civilian administrations have not been established there; instead, military leaders from the RSF oversee administrative tasks.

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 urged citizens to return home, condemning military airstrikes on their houses.

Gezira’s new civil council comprises 31 members representing various localities, chosen through agreement by the “Localities Community” led by Ahmed Mohamed al-Bashir.

They have the authority to elect the head of the civilian administration. The new administration aims to restore order, protect civilians, and provide basic services in coordination with the RSF controlling the state.

Ahmed said that the RSF’s efforts in Gezira present a unique experiment and called for international cooperation to achieve civilian administration goals. He also urged warring parties to bravely decide to end the war for the state’s benefit.

The concept of decentralized civilian administration isn’t new in Sudan, a country familiar with civil strife.

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu, implemented a similar model in areas it controlled in South Kordofan State for over a decade.

Since the conflict erupted between the army and the RSF, concerns have risen about Sudan possibly fracturing into warring factions, despite assurances from both sides about unity.

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Arab World

Malaysia Calls for Rejection of Forced Palestinian Displacement Plan

The Malaysian Foreign Minister attending the recent OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Makkah (Asharq Al-Awsat).
The Malaysian Foreign Minister attending the recent OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Makkah (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Malaysia Calls for Rejection of Forced Palestinian Displacement Plan

The Malaysian Foreign Minister attending the recent OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Makkah (Asharq Al-Awsat).
The Malaysian Foreign Minister attending the recent OIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Makkah (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Kuala Lumpur has stressed the need for unified condemnation of a plan aimed at annexing Gaza and forcibly displacing the Palestinian people, urging nations with influence over Israel to push for a resolution to the crisis.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers’ meeting in Makkah on Friday, Malaysian Foreign Minister Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan called on major global powers and institutions to denounce the displacement plan.
Hasan expressed hope that the OIC, in coordination with UN agencies and other international bodies, could advance a comprehensive recovery and reconstruction plan for war-torn countries such as Lebanon and Syria. He also reaffirmed confidence in Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in driving collective action forward.
Malaysia, he added, will coordinate with like-minded nations to facilitate emergency relief efforts, capacity-building initiatives, and medium- to long-term reconstruction projects, particularly in Gaza and potentially beyond.
The minister further stated that his country remains committed to achieving a just, lasting, and sustainable peace for Palestine. He reiterated Malaysia’s strong support for early recovery, reconstruction, and development in Gaza, in line with Egypt’s proposal at the Extraordinary Arab Summit for Palestine held in Cairo on March 4, 2025.
He noted that Kuala Lumpur urges all OIC members to fully back this initiative, stressing that a permanent solution is essential to establishing an independent Palestinian state. This, he emphasized, should be based on a two-state solution in accordance with international law and UN resolutions, with East Jerusalem as its capital along the pre-1967 borders.
The foreign minister underscored that the establishment of a Palestinian state would bring much-needed peace and stability to the region, particularly in Lebanon and Syria. He also stressed the right of all displaced Palestinians, whether in Egypt, Jordan, or elsewhere, to return to their homeland.
Hasan condemned any call for the forced displacement of Palestinians or the annexation of Gaza, describing it as not only “unrealistic and impractical” but also as an act of “ethnic cleansing and a grave violation of international law.” Such measures, he argued, constitute a direct affront to justice and human rights.
“The proposal has faced near-universal rejection,” he said, “strongly opposed by countries worldwide and, above all, by Arab and Islamic communities. The urgency of this crisis is precisely why the Arab and Islamic world has come together to take decisive action.”
Malaysia, he added, has consistently condemned Israel’s war and its violations against Palestinians, as well as Tel Aviv’s persistent attempts to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. He reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law, and the UN system.
Saudi-Malaysian Relations: Stronger Than Ever
On the state of bilateral ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, Hasan described the relationship as “stronger than ever,” citing regular high-level engagement between the two nations. He noted that he maintains close communication with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, with both countries recently intensifying cooperation in key sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, infrastructure, and science and technology.
To ensure effective collaboration, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have established the Saudi-Malaysian Coordination Council (SMCC), co-led by the two foreign ministers. The council is responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing the implementation of strategic initiatives within a structured timeframe, ensuring tangible progress in areas of mutual interest.