RSF, allies, sign charter to form parallel government
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The decision comes amid warnings that such a measure would entrench the war, with division prolonging the conflict and amplifying the suffering of civilians
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Rapid Support Forces (RSF) deputy commander Abdul Rahim Dagalo, gestures as he arrives for a planned signing ceremony of the Sudan Founding Charter, in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. (AP)
The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have signed a charter with their allies to form a parallel government, according to AFP sources, disregarding warnings that such a decision would divide the war-torn country.
The charter, which was signed behind closed doors in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, is said to lead towards a "government of peace and unity" according to signatories including the Rapid Support Forces, the United Civil Forces, professional unions, and People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).
AFP said that that charter calls for "a secular, democratic, decentralized state based on freedom, equality, and justice, without bias toward any cultural, ethnic, religious, or regional identity", adding an outline for a "new, unified, professional, national army" with a new military doctrine that "reflects the diversity and plurality characterizing the Sudanese state".
The proposed government is set to address service gaps in RSF territories according to Alaa El-Din Nuqd, who emphasized that "Citizens in these regions have been cut off from essential services like the new banknotes issued by the army, passport processing, and document renewals," as quoted by AFP.
Spokesperson for the United Civil Forces Najm al-Din Drisa said that the new administration could be formed within a month.
Division and war become entrenched
The signing followed a series of meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Rapid Support Forces and Allies drafted the charter document, while the Sudanese government criticized the Kenyan authorities on February 21 for hosting these meetings and interfering with Sudan's internal affairs, retaliating by recalling its Ambassador to Kenya.
JOINT STATEMENT: The Kenyan government’s disgraceful decision to host the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allied militias, infamous for their brutal reign of terror in Sudan, makes it complicit in mass atrocities against the Sudanese people.
— ICJ Kenya (@ICJKenya) February 21, 2025
Kenya’s unilateral move undermines… pic.twitter.com/oqJWUMTRnw
The establishment of a parallel RSF-led government is raising concerns about the potential partitioning of Sudan, as the country the political and military feud become further entrenched, raising fears of solidifying territorial divisions and prolonging the war.
Sudan Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced on February 10 plans to form a technocratic wartime government once the army fully regains control over the capital Khartoum as it advanced toward the presidential palace and through several fronts.
"We can call it a caretaker government, a wartime government—it will help us complete our military objectives, which include liberating Sudan from these rebels," Burhan said during a meeting with politicians in Port Sudan.
Despite the army's advance in Khartoum, the RSF controls much of western Sudan and is escalating its attempts to consolidate power in Darfour, especially by attempting to seize al-Fashir.
The war, which has been ongoing since April 2023, has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises globally; with the mass displacement of over 10 million people, and accusations of the RSF committing war crimes and genocide in territories under its control.
