Experts report Sudan’s Tasees forms police force amid governance split claims

What happened

Radio Dabanga reports that Sudan’s Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasees) government, headquartered in Nyala, North Darfur, is moving forward with establishing an independent police force as part of completing its institutions in areas under its control. The move follows appointments of key ministers and aims at managing local public affairs while creating a professional, neutral policing body free from partisan or regional loyalties, according to Tasees Prime Minister Mohamed Hassan El Taayshi.

Officials say this new police formation is intended to reflect fair regional representation within Sudan and is not aimed at pursuing secession. However, observers cited by Radio Dabanga view the parallel institution as part of a de facto division project in Sudan, noting the Tasees government operates in opposition to the Khartoum-aligned administration based in Port Sudan.

Retired Major General Malik El Hassan Abu Rof, a security expert interviewed by Radio Dabanga, frames the creation of the police force as a necessary response to a refusal by the Port Sudan authorities to engage in negotiations or reform security institutions. He also alleges that the Port Sudan government denies identity documentation and imposes harsh legal measures against political opponents in areas controlled by Tasees, which in turn suffers from deprived public services.

Known from the source

• Tasees government is headquartered in Nyala, North Darfur.
• Tasees appointed ministers, state ministers, undersecretaries, and directors-general recently.
• Tasees is forming a new police force to manage public affairs in areas they control.
• Prime Minister Mohamed Hassan El Taayshi calls for a neutral, professional police service.
• Tasees denies that the formation of the police force is for secession purposes.

What remains unclear

Another anonymous security expert who spoke to Radio Dabanga stresses that impartial and accountable national law enforcement is critical during conflict for protecting civilians, a task demanding strong leadership capable of controlling armed forces amid instability. Meanwhile, Major General Dr Issam Abbas warns that establishing parallel state institutions, including the police, risks militarizing civilian spaces and may constitute a fait accompli intended to cement divided governance.

What remains unclear: Verification of the newly formed police force’s operational status and structure. Confirmation of the Tasees government’s full institutional control in North Darfur and other areas. Independent verification of accusations against the Port Sudan government concerning denial of identity documents and political repression. Confirmation if international bodies or Sudanese political actors acknowledge Tasees’ government or police force legitimacy.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Radio Dabanga. Open the source.