Division Within “Taqaddum” Over Disputes on Forming a Parallel Government in Sudan

The Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces, known as “Taqaddum,” Sudan’s largest civilian coalition, has announced its division into two factions due to disagreements over forming a “parallel government” to the one led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The proposed parallel government would operate in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In a recent meeting chaired by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, Taqaddum issued a statement indicating that each faction will proceed according to its perspective on the war and methods to end it. The statement noted, “Each group will announce its political and organizational arrangements and the new name under which it will operate separately.”

The split stems from deepening rifts within the coalition regarding the support for a proposed parallel government in RSF-controlled areas. Some members advocate for this move as a strategy to challenge the current military-led government, while others oppose it, fearing it could exacerbate the conflict and undermine efforts to restore peace. 

Political analyst Musab Abdullah commented that the division represents a clear rupture within Taqaddum. He emphasized that this crisis highlights the opposition of political parties, unions, and civil society within Taqaddum to the exiled government plan, viewing it as a proxy administration aligned with the RSF. 

The disagreement over forming a parallel government has led to significant internal debates. Taqaddum’s spokesperson, Dr. Bakri Al-Jack, stated that the official stance of the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces has always been against forming an exiled or parallel government. He noted that a proposal to form such a government was presented by a faction within the leadership during a meeting on December 6 of the previous year. However, there was no consensus, and the matter was referred to the political mechanism for further deliberation. 

This development underscores the challenges facing Sudan’s civilian political movements as they navigate complex decisions in their efforts to restore democratic governance and end the ongoing conflict.