Sudan’s RSF Announces New Government Amid Ongoing Conflict

Sudan's RSF and Allies Sign Charter to Form Parallel Government

In a significant move amid Sudan's ongoing civil conflict, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have signed a political charter with allied groups to establish a "government of peace and unity." The agreement, finalized on Saturday, aims to govern the territories controlled by the RSF, according to signatories Al-Hadi Idris and Ibrahim al-Mirghani.

Among the key figures involved in the deal is Abdelaziz al-Hilu, a prominent rebel leader who commands large swathes of territory in South Kordofan State. Al-Hilu, a staunch proponent of secularism, has long called for a shift away from Sudan's traditional Islamic governance.

Despite concerns raised by the United Nations, the "government of peace and unity" is not expected to gain widespread international recognition. Nonetheless, its formation signals further fragmentation in Sudan, which has been embroiled in a brutal civil war for nearly two years.

The RSF, under the leadership of General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has seized control of much of western Darfur and parts of the Kordofan region. However, it is being pushed back by the Sudanese army in central Sudan, which has condemned the creation of a parallel government. The Sudanese army, which once shared power with the RSF and civilian leaders following the ousting of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, has rejected the move as destabilizing.

The newly formed government, as outlined in the charter, advocates for a secular, democratic, and non-centralized state. It calls for the establishment of a single national army, although it grants armed groups the right to continue existing. The charter emphasizes that the government’s purpose is not to divide Sudan but to unify the country and end the ongoing conflict—an objective it claims the army-aligned government in Port Sudan has failed to achieve.

The RSF’s controversial leader, General Daglo, has been sanctioned by the United States for alleged war crimes and abuses, including accusations of genocide. The RSF has been accused of widespread atrocities throughout the war, further compounding the humanitarian crisis facing Sudan. Nearly half of the population is now suffering from hunger, and famine conditions are reported in multiple regions.

The signing of the charter took place behind closed doors, a stark contrast to the earlier public event in Nairobi earlier this week. The Kenyan government’s hosting of Sudanese factions, including the RSF, has sparked criticism both domestically and internationally. Sudan has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of providing military and financial support to the RSF, allegations that UN experts and US lawmakers have deemed credible. The UAE has denied these accusations.

Meanwhile, Sudan's government continues to evolve its strategy, with the recent passage of amendments to the country's constitutional document, granting the military expanded powers. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese army, is expected to announce a new "war cabinet" soon.