The African Union has rejected a move by Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to form a rival government, calling it a threat to peace and national unity.
The RSF announced the creation of a 15-member government of peace and unity on Saturday, naming Mohamed Hassan al-Ta'ayshi as prime minister and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known asHemedti, as head of a new presidential council.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Nyala, in the Darfur region. Hemedtis deputy will be the head of theSudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North, one of Sudans largest rebel groups.
In a statement on Wednesday, the African Unions Peace andSecurity Councilurged member states and the international community not [to] recognise the so-called parallel government which has serious consequences on the peace efforts and the existential future of the country.
The council said the move risked the fragmentation of Sudan and called on all sides to cease hostilities immediately and unconditionally. It reaffirmed support for the transitional government formed in May in Port Sudan, led by former UN officialKamil Idris.
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Risk of 'warring cantons'
TheArab Leaguesaid the RSFs declaration was an attempt to impose a de facto reality by military force that could divide Sudan into warring cantons.
The Saudi foreign ministry said Sudanese parties should avoid the risks of division and chaos.
TheAfrican Unionsaid it unequivocally condemned all forms of external interference, which is fuelling the Sudanese conflict. The UN has issued repeated warnings on the same point.
TheUnited Arab Emirateshas been widely accused of arming the RSF in violation of a UN arms embargo in Darfur. Abu Dhabi denies this, despite multiple reports from UN experts, diplomats and international organisations.
Sudans army-aligned government has also criticised Kenya for allowing a series of meetings between RSF leaders and allied groups in Nairobi earlier this year.
The talks took place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre and were attended by Hemedtis brother and deputy, Abdul Rahim Dagalo. Sudanese authorities say the Nairobi meetings helped pave the way for the formation of the rival government. Kenya denies this.
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Power struggle
The RSF has been at war with Sudans army since April 2023. The army now controlsKhartoumand much of the countrys north, east and centre, while the RSF holds most ofDarfurand parts of Kordofan, where recent attacks have killed hundreds, according to local rights groups.
The conflict began with a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Dagalo. The two were once allies, working together to remove longtime rulerOmar al-Bashirin 2019. They later led a 2021 coup that ended Sudans transition to civilian rule.
The war has since killed tens of thousands and triggered the worlds largest hunger and displacement crisis, the UN said.
The AU said it continues to back peace efforts, including the 2023 Jeddah Declaration and UN Security Council calls for the RSF to lift its siege of El Fasher and allow aid deliveries.
(with newswires)
Originally published on RFI
