The RSF declared a rival government in Sudan on February 23, complicating the country’s already volatile situation. This move further deepens Sudan’s territorial division, with severe humanitarian consequences. International responses indicate concern over potential fragmentation. Analysts suggest that the RSF’s actions may be attempts to legitimize its power amid significant military setbacks, highlighting the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to avert further crisis.
On February 23, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced the creation of the so-called ‘Government of Peace and Unity’, heightening fears of the country’s fragmentation. The RSF has been implicated in numerous war crimes since the conflict escalated in April 2023, resulting in severe famine and displacing over 14 million people. This bold move further complicates Sudan’s existing political turmoil and threatens its territorial integrity, leading to a potential partition of the war-ravaged nation.
The RSF’s declaration signifies a growing division within Sudan, following its split from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). After Sudan’s 2019 revolution resulted in the ouster of Omar al-Bashir, power was initially shared the SAF and civilian factions. However, escalating violence between the RSF and SAF has obstructed the path toward democracy, placing the civilian population and national stability at risk due to these ongoing conflicts. The RSF formalized its parallel government in a charter signed in Nairobi, a city known for its neutral mediation role in regional disputes.
According to Suliman Baldo, Director of the Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker, the establishment of this rival government signifies a consolidation of territorial controls – with the SAF and RSF managing separate regions. The RSF aims to govern primarily in western Sudan, including Darfur and parts of Kordofan, and professes a commitment to creating a secular and democratic state. Nevertheless, analysts view this initiative as a strategy to whitewash the RSF’s past atrocities. Human rights organizations have documented clear evidence of war crimes, leading the US to categorize the actions of the RSF as genocide.
Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow at CSIS, argues that the RSF’s formulation of a parallel government is more of a media stunt than a significant political shift. He points out that roughly one-third of Sudan has been under RSF control for over a year, emphasizing that the announcement doesn’t alter existing realities on the ground. The SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has denounced the rival government as a direct challenge to national unity and has been making strategic efforts to reclaim territories from the RSF.
As tensions continue, international reactions have emerged with notable concern regarding the implications of a rival RSF government on Sudan’s unity. The United Nations has warned that such a government risks further fragmentation and exacerbation of the crisis. Regional actors, including Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, have echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the RSF’s actions as detrimental to the peaceful resolution of Sudan’s ongoing issues.
The international landscape surrounding Sudan’s conflict is complex. While Kenya has defended its role as a neutral mediator, other nations have established connections with both factions. Advanced military supplies to the SAF from Iran, China, and Turkey have bolstered their military capabilities, while Russia has shifted support towards the SAF to secure regional interests. Reports also indicate the RSF’s financial and mercenary ties to the United Arab Emirates, with analysts expressing skepticism of the RSF’s legitimacy.
Experts assert that the RSF’s declaration does not alter the balance of power; rather, it entrenches existing divisions and threatens to solidify the reality of Sudan’s partition. If the international community remains passive in its response, the evolving crisis may soon cement into a more permanent and dire situation for Sudan and its people.
The announcement by the RSF of a rival government in Sudan signals increasing territorial division and instability within the country. With over 14 million displaced civilians and a history of documented war crimes, the RSF’s intentions appear to legitimize its governance amid ongoing military failure. The international community’s concerns and reactions underscore the seriousness of Sudan’s plight. If no decisive action is taken soon, Sudan might face an inexorable drift toward a permanent de facto partition. Overall, the current political landscape reflects a dire need for intervention and negotiation.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
