Khartoum – “Al-Quds Al-Arabi”: The Sudanese army announced on Thursday its control over the city of Um Rawaba in North Kordofan State, while its forces are advancing closer to the presidential palace in central Khartoum.
This comes as Bakri Al-Jack, spokesperson for the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), declared that Taqaddum’s official stance is to sever ties with coalition components that have begun forming a parallel government.Um Rawaba, located approximately 301 kilometers from Sudan’s capital Khartoum, connects several major cities through railways and roads linking western Sudan and South Kordofan to Khartoum and Port Sudan in the east.
The recapture of this strategic city paves the way to lift the siege on El Obeid and Rahad cities while cutting off supply routes for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) coming from western Sudan.
In Khartoum, the army regained control of the Dardoug Market and Al-Ezba neighborhood, while its forces expanded into areas of Ombada in Omdurman, west of the capital. After securing the northern side of Al-Mak Nimir Bridge and lifting the siege on the army’s General Command buildings as well as reclaiming ministerial headquarters in central Khartoum, the army is now meters away from the presidential palace, which has been under RSF control since the war began in mid-April 2023.Since late December 2024, the Sudanese army has reclaimed several cities and strategic locations previously under tight RSF control, including Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazirah State, and Bahri (North Khartoum), which had been a key RSF stronghold since the war’s onset. The army also lifted the siege on its Signal Corps headquarters and General Command in central Khartoum.Regarding Taqaddum’s statements, they come as some coalition components proceed with forming a parallel government in Port Sudan, led by Sudanese military leaders. Al-Jack noted that Taqaddum’s leadership council meeting held in Entebbe, Uganda, on December 6, 2024, discussed a proposal for forming a government presented by a faction within the council but failed to reach consensus.As a result, the meeting referred issues of legitimacy disputes and other matters to a political mechanism that convened multiple times and issued recommendations forwarded to Taqaddum’s General Secretariat and leadership council.
The political mechanism ultimately agreed to sever ties between entities and individuals insisting on forming a government and those opposing unilateral actions or alliances with warring factions.According to Al-Jack, a committee was formed to establish a framework for separation that maximizes common ground between both sides while allowing each to operate independently politically and organizationally.
He emphasized that these divergent positions cannot coexist within a single coalition opposed to war and neutral toward its parties. He highlighted Taqaddum’s awareness of war’s divisive impact on society.He stated that “Taqaddum will remain neutral toward all warring parties and does not recognize the legitimacy of any authority in Port Sudan or elsewhere.” He reiterated their rejection of war and violence as means for resolving political conflicts in Sudan while affirming their commitment to building an anti-war civilian front dedicated to national unity.He added: “We will work toward stopping the war through public mobilization and diplomacy while pursuing an inclusive dialogue involving all active forces based on a comprehensive justice framework and social recovery vision aimed at mending societal fabric and addressing war-induced divisions.”Taqaddum’s recent meeting in Entebbe revealed divisions among political parties on one side and armed movements alongside certain individuals within Taqaddum on another regarding forming a parallel government. Some advocated for an exile government or an interim administration in RSF-controlled areas—proposals rejected by party leaders who warned such steps could lead to severe consequences, including national fragmentation.The head of the Revolutionary Front and leader of Sudan Liberation Movement/Transitional Council (SLM-TC), Hadi Idris, reaffirmed their commitment to forming a civilian government aimed at delegitimizing Port Sudan’s administration. Idris, who also serves as deputy head of Taqaddum, stated that forming such a government seeks to block plans by “supporters of the former regime” aiming to divide Sudan while pressuring the army into negotiations for ending the war.He noted ongoing discussions with political forces outside Taqaddum about forming a parallel government countering current authorities led by Sudanese Army Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.Leaders advocating for this parallel government face accusations of aligning with RSF and attempting to establish what they claim is a “civilian” authority aimed at stripping legitimacy from Port Sudan’s administration. These efforts are spearheaded by former Sovereignty Council members Hadi Idris and Taher Hajar—leaders of SLM-TC and Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces—alongside Suleiman Sandal from a splinter faction within Justice and Equality Movement fighting alongside SAF within joint armed movements’ coalition.Taqaddum was established in October 2023 in Addis Ababa under former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s leadership. It opposes war and calls on SAF and RSF to negotiate protecting civilians, achieving ceasefire agreements, and pursuing political settlements to end hostilities.
