Egypt Daily News – The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed a founding charter overnight in Nairobi with a coalition of political and armed groups to establish a parallel government in war-torn Sudan, sources announced on Sunday. Meanwhile, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf stated that his army-aligned government “will not accept” any recognition of a parallel government.
Najm al-Din Driesa, the official spokesperson for the “United Civil Forces,” one of the signatories, confirmed that the charter had been signed.
The signing took place behind closed doors in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, paving the way for a “Government of Peace and Unity” in areas under RSF control.
During a press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Ati in Cairo, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Yusuf declared, “We will not accept any country recognizing what is being called a parallel government.” His statement came a day after the RSF and its military and political allies signed the charter to form a rival government in the areas they control amid the ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023.
This move comes nearly two years after the outbreak of a devastating war between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army in April 2023, which has displaced over 12 million people and led to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.
Among the signatories is a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, which controls parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
The charter was signed by Abdelrahim Dagalo, the deputy leader and brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, in the latter’s absence.
The charter, seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP), calls for the “establishment of a secular, democratic, decentralized state based on freedom, equality, and justice, without bias toward any cultural, ethnic, religious, or regional identity.”
It also advocates for the creation of a “new, unified, professional, and national army with a revised military doctrine that reflects Sudan’s diversity and pluralism.”
According to the charter, this government aims to end the war, ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, and preserve Sudan’s unity.
“Disintegration of the Country”
The war, which erupted over disputes concerning the RSF’s integration into the army, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, with both sides accused of committing atrocities.
Last month, the United States determined that the RSF had committed genocide in the western Darfur region. The conflict has effectively divided Sudan, with the army controlling the north and east, while the RSF dominates almost all of Darfur and parts of the south.
In recent weeks, the army has launched an offensive in central Sudan, capturing several towns and most areas of the capital, Khartoum.
On Sunday, the army announced that it had broken the RSF’s siege on the strategic state capital of North Kordofan in southern Sudan. Army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah stated, “Our forces have managed to open the road to El-Obeid and link up” with troops stationed east of the city.
By allying with SPLM-N, the RSF now controls more areas in the south and has access to borders with Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson warned that this could lead to further “disintegration” of the country and “worsen the crisis.”
However, the charter’s signatories denied any intention of dividing Sudan.
Alaa al-Din Naqd, a former spokesperson for the “Taqaddum” Coordination and a member of the Professionals’ Association who signed the charter, stated that the proposed government aims to address service gaps in RSF-controlled areas.
Naqd told AFP, “The reason for establishing the new government is to prevent the army from blocking services in RSF-controlled areas, including currency exchange measures, passport issuance, and the renewal of identification documents.”
He argued that forming this government is “legitimate and protects citizens’ dignity.”
Reactions
Analysts suggest that the move is an attempt to bolster the RSF following recent battlefield setbacks. Sudanese political analyst Kholood Khair noted that the RSF’s ultimate goals include acquiring air power, facilitating humanitarian aid access to its territories, and securing a stronger negotiating position.
“They want to enter mediations as a government, not as a militia,” she told AFP.
However, any arms sales to the proposed government would still violate the arms embargo on Darfur, which the UN has recommended expanding to cover all of Sudan. Cameron Hudson of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said, “Ultimately, it is difficult to see this move gaining momentum beyond the RSF’s most ardent supporters.”
He told AFP that the move “appears to be an attempt by the RSF to achieve politically what it cannot on the battlefield.”
In the short term, he argued, the new government “will deepen divisions among the Sudanese people and possibly in the broader region, as some communities and nations may choose to support it.” The Sudanese government criticized Kenya for hosting the event, accusing it of violating Sudan’s sovereignty. On Thursday, Sudan recalled its ambassador from Nairobi.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry accused Kenyan President William Ruto of acting based on “his business and personal interests with regional militia sponsors.” In mid-January, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates signed an economic agreement described by Ruto’s office as a “historic event” and “the first of its kind.”
The UAE has been accused of supporting the RSF, though Abu Dhabi denies these allegations.
