The African Union (AU) has issued a strong condemnation of the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) recent declaration of a rival administration in Sudan, calling it a grave danger to national cohesion and peace.
RSF Announces ‘Government of Peace and Unity’
On July 26, 2025, leaders of the RSF and their allied political factions unveiled a so‑called “Government of Peace and Unity,” along with a 15‑member presidential council in Nyala, in the Darfur region. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, was named as head of this council, while civilian politician Mohamed Hassan al‑Ta’ayshi was appointed prime minister. The deputy position went to a senior figure from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North, signaling the coalition’s multi‑factional alignment.
African Union’s Response
During its March 11, 2025 session, the AU’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) unequivocally denounced the parallel government project. The PSC declared it illegitimate and warned that recognizing or supporting it may accelerate Sudan’s fragmentation. The AU reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan, urging all members and the international community to neither acknowledge nor assist this breakaway entity.
In its official reply, the PSC reiterated it only recognizes the Transitional Sovereignty Council and the civilian transitional government established in Port Sudan—led by former UN official Kamil Idris—as the sole legitimate authorities in Sudan.
International Alarm
The United Nations and the European Union have echoed the AU’s warnings, stressing that the RSF initiative threatens peace efforts and could deepen the humanitarian emergency gripping the country. The UN Security Council flagged the February 22 Nairobi agreement—under which the RSF and its allies signed a founding charter forming a parallel authority—as a dangerous escalation.
Regional powers—including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and others—have publicly rejected the RSF move as unlawful and destabilizing. Cairo and Riyadh declared support only for constitutional institutions in Sudan and discouraged any actions promoting division.
Context: Two Years of Conflict
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan, and the RSF. Initially allies after the 2019 removal of President Omar al‑Bashir, they fell into open conflict in 2023 over how to integrate the RSF into national command structures.
The war has exacted a devastating toll: tens of thousands of civilian deaths, widespread allegations of ethnic cleansing and war crimes—especially in Darfur—and the displacement of more than 12 million people, fueling one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history.
Recent escalations have included the destruction of key infrastructure, such as Sudan’s largest oil refinery north of Khartoum, further crippling the nation’s economy and exacerbating civilian hardship.
The RSF’s Stated Justification
RSF-aligned leaders assert that the rival administration is intended to fill governance voids in areas under their control, such as access to new banknotes, passport services, and administrative documents. However, critics argue this is a guise for seizing power and formalizing territorial division, not a step toward reconciliation.
Diplomatic Fallout and Risks Ahead
International conferences aimed at forging ceasefire dialogue—such as the British-hosted meeting in April 2025—collapsed when key Arab nations declined joint statements, revealing deep regional divides. Simultaneously, RSF leader Hemedti’s declaration of a rival government further eroded prospects for negotiation.
Observers fear that formalizing a parallel power structure could cement existing fault lines, leading to a de facto partition similar to Libya’s past fragmentation. The RSF controls most of Darfur and parts of Kordofan, while the army governs the north, east, and centre.
Humanitarian Consequences
The conflict has driven mass hunger—more than 24 million people face food insecurity, with an estimated 600,000 on the brink of famine. Displaced populations exceed 12–13 million, with humanitarian access hampered by ongoing sieges and obstruction by RSF-associated authorities.
Conclusion: A Dangerous Precedent
The AU’s unequivocal rejection of the RSF’s parallel government reflects a broader international consensus: unilateral attempts to seize authority undermine any path to peace. Without inclusive, Sudanese-led dialogue and respect for constitutional legitimacy, Sudan risks sliding further into chaos or de facto partition. Rebuilding unity and governance must begin with a ceasefire and a return to consensus-based political transition.
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