First Reaction from the African Union on Sudan’s “Parallel” Government

The situation in Sudan is raising concerns among neighboring countries as well as the African Union, with the risk of division threatening the country’s future.

On Wednesday, the African Union expressed its “deep concern” over the formation of a parallel government by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies in Sudan, warning that this move could “divide” the country, which has been at war for more than two years.

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In a statement, the organization condemned “the announcement by the Rapid Support Forces and affiliated political and social forces of the formation of a parallel government in the Republic of Sudan,” warning that this step represents “a significant risk of partitioning the country.”

Last month, the RSF and its allies signed a “founding charter” in Nairobi, expressing their intent to establish a “Government of Peace and Unity” in the areas under their control.

They also pledged to “build a civil, democratic, and decentralized state based on freedom, equality, and justice, without any cultural, ethnic, religious, or regional bias.”

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In early March, the same parties signed a “transitional constitution” in Nairobi.

The African Union called on all its member states, as well as the international community, to “refrain from recognizing any government or parallel entity seeking to divide the Republic of Sudan, its institutions, or govern part of its territory.”

A few days ago, the RSF announced that they had completed preparations for establishing a “Government of Peace and Unity” in the areas they control, aiming to provide essential services to residents, including the production of currency and passports.

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The war between the RSF and the Sudanese army has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 12 million people, a situation the United Nations has described as an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis on the African continent.”

This conflict, which erupted due to disputes over integrating the RSF into the national army, has torn Sudan apart: the army currently controls the eastern and northern regions, while the RSF holds most of the Darfur region in the west and parts of the south.

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