The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) has strongly condemned the formation of a parallel government in Sudan by the Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis), led by the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
In a statement on Tuesday, the Council rejected the July 26 announcement by Tasis, calling it a serious threat to Sudan’s unity and peace process.
“This act risks the fragmentation of Sudan,” the Council warned, emphasising that it undermines efforts to bring lasting peace and poses a threat to the country’s future.
The PSC reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan.
It urged all African Union member states and the international community not to recognise or support the newly declared parallel government.
The Council reiterated that the African Union only recognises the Transitional Sovereignty Council and the recently formed civilian transitional government as the legitimate authorities in Sudan.
It added that any political arrangement must be consensual and reflect the will of the Sudanese people.
The AU further called on all parties to cease hostilities immediately and unconditionally.
It urged them to return to negotiations, embrace national dialogue, and commit to a peaceful political transition.
“There is no viable or sustainable military solution to the conflict,” the statement said.
The Council also condemned external interference in Sudan’s conflict, calling it a violation of African Union resolutions and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1556 (2004).
It demanded that all state and non-state actors stop any military or financial support to the warring parties.
The RSF on Saturday announced a 15-member parallel government, naming General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, alias Hemedti, as the head of the presidential council.
In the line-up, the head of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North, one of the country's largest rebel groups, was named Hemedti’s deputy.
The council also named Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi as prime minister, as well as regional governors in the areas they control. The announcement was made in a press conference in Nyala city, Darfur region.
The announcement came after months of denial by Kenya’s top leadership that what RSF agreed to in Nairobi in February was not a resolution to form a parallel government in Sudan.
Against the wishes of the junta government in Sudan, Kenya opened its doors to RSF for a series of meetings at the KICC in February, which were attended by the top leadership of rebel outfit and allied parties, including Hemedti’s brother and deputy Abdul Rahim Dagalo.
Following the meetings, RSF and its allies under the Sudan Founding Alliance announced the formation of a parallel government that would lead a “new secular Sudan” and signed a new constitution.
Sudan yet again condemned what it termed as the approval and facilitation by Kenya of preparatory meetings held by the rebel group Rapid Support Forces in Nairobi, which have culminated into the announcement of a parallel government.
In a statement by the Foreign Affairs ministry, Sudan reiterated that Kenya’s actions constitute a blatant violation of its sovereignty and a breach of the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.
“It also contradicts the principles and charters of the United Nations, the African Union, and IGAD, all of which support the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan,” it added.
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