RSF establishes rival Government in Sudan with allied factions
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The agreement is expected to be formalized in a ceremony on Saturday evening, according to signatories al-Hadi Idris and Ibrahim Mirghani.
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Delegates sing during a planned signing ceremony of the Sudan Founding Charter aimed at establishing a unity government involving leaders of political forces, armed groups, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)
The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are set to sign a charter with allied political and armed groups to form a "government of peace and unity" in the territories under their control.
The agreement is expected to be formalized in a ceremony on Saturday evening, according to signatories al-Hadi Idris and Ibrahim Mirghani.
The move comes as the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), seeks to consolidate its authority over western Darfur and parts of the Kordofan region, which it seized during nearly two years of conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
The RSF aims to establish formal governance structures in these areas, despite being pushed back from central Sudan, particularly in Khartoum, where the SAF has regained significant territory.
The Sudanese army condemned the initiative as an attempt to form a parallel government, calling it a direct threat to Sudan's sovereignty and unity.
The signing of the "Sudan Founding Charter for Establishing a Peace and Unity Government" follows a series of meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, where the RSF and its allies drafted the document.
Sudan's government criticized Kenya for hosting these meetings, accusing it of interfering in Sudan's internal affairs. In response, Khartoum recalled its ambassador to Kenya, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
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 ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has plunged Sudan into a severe humanitarian crisis.
Millions have been displaced, and famine is spreading rapidly, particularly in Darfur, where the RSF has been accused of attacking famine-stricken camps. The United Nations has warned of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe if the violence continues.
The establishment of a parallel government by the RSF raises concerns about the potential partition of Sudan, as the political and military standoff deepens.
International observers fear that the move could solidify territorial divisions, leading to a prolonged civil war and the permanent fragmentation of the country.
Read more: Sudan RSF attacks leave 200+ dead as it prepares political charter
Global and Regional Reactions
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) plan to establish a parallel government in Sudan.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Wednesday stated that such a move could further fracture the nation, stating that preserving Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity is essential for a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.
"We're very deeply concerned about any further escalation of the Sudanese conflict and any steps like this one, which would increase the fragmentation of the country and risk making this crisis even worse," Dujarric said.
The African Union (AU) has likewise expressed significant concern in a statement issued on Wednesday. The organization reiterated its commitment to Sudan's sovereignty and urged all parties to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis.
