A man walks while smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan, May 1, 2023. But analysts and diplomats say it is unclear how the RSF could govern a breakaway territory. "(Governing) means you take on responsibilities for food, health, and security," said Suliman Baldo of the Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker. From late October the RSF took over army headquarters in Nyala, Zalingei and El Geneina, three of five Darfur state capitals. They say the RSF is seeking legitimacy in the talks, after public anger over looting, rape and detentions blamed on its troops.

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Persons: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Yasir Arman, Abdelrahim Dagalo, Omar al, Bashir, El Geneina, Kholood Khair, Bashir loyalists, Jonas Horner, Nafisa Eltahir, Khalid Abdelaziz, Aidan Lewis, Gareth Jones Organizations: Rapid Support Forces, REUTERS, Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, Darfur, South, Reuters, Armoured Corps, Confluence Advisory, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Khartoum North, Sudan, Jeddah, CAIRO, Khartoum, South Sudan, Darfur, North Darfur, Port Sudan, Kordofan, Nyala, El Geneina, Jebel Awlia, Confluence, Saudi, West Darfur, Cairo, Dubai