Darfur governor responds to Hemedti: reducing the conflict to a "we" vs. "them" duality deepens the wounds and closes the door to reconciliation

Darfur governor responds to Hemedti: reducing the conflict to a "we" vs. "them" duality deepens the wounds and closes the door to reconciliation

Darfur Governor Criticizes Simplistic Narrative, Calls for Nuanced Reconciliation

The governor of Darfur has publicly challenged the framing of the region’s protracted conflict as a binary struggle between opposing factions, warning that such a reductionist approach exacerbates divisions and undermines prospects for lasting peace. This statement comes amid ongoing tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, whose rivalry has deepened Sudan's humanitarian and political crisis since 2023 according to Arab Center Washington DC.

The governor emphasized that portraying the conflict as a "we" versus "them" dichotomy ignores the complex interplay of historical grievances, ethnic tensions, and external influences that have fueled violence in Darfur for decades. As earlier analyses note, the crisis involves overlapping conflicts, including communal disputes over resources, center-periphery power imbalances, and cross-border dynamics involving neighboring states. The current war, meanwhile, has fragmented Sudan into two rival administrations—the SAF-backed "Hope Government" in Port Sudan and the RSF-aligned "Government of Peace and Unity" in Nyala—further complicating reconciliation efforts according to Arab Center Washington DC.

The governor's remarks align with concerns raised by humanitarian organizations and analysts about the escalating toll on civilians. With 11.8 million people displaced and acute food insecurity affecting over half the population, the conflict has become a "weaponized" tool to control territory and resources according to Arab Center Washington DC. The governor argued that simplistic narratives obscure these systemic issues, diverting attention from the need for inclusive dialogue that addresses root causes, such as economic marginalization and political exclusion.

International mediation efforts, including the recent "Quad" proposal (U.S., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE), have similarly struggled to bridge divides, as both factions prioritize military gains over compromise according to Arab Center Washington DC. The governor's call for nuance underscores the challenge of balancing competing interests while ensuring civilian voices are central to any resolution. For investors and stakeholders, the prolonged instability highlights risks to regional economic recovery and the fragility of Sudan's post-conflict transition.

As Rothbart, Brosché, & Yousif (2012) note: Rothbart, Brosché, & Yousif (2012)
According to Arab Center Washington DC (2025): Arab Center Washington DC (2025)