Sudan’s RSF, accused of genocide, signs charter to form rival government
Al JazeeraFEB 21
Sudan RSF Forms Parallel Government Amid Civil War Crisis
Above: Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo (C), Sudan's Rapid Support Forces deputy commander, flanked by representatives of other political parties affiliated to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (SRF) in Nairobi on Feb.18, 2025. Image copyright: Simon Maina/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
On Sunday, Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied groups signed a charter in Nairobi, Kenya, to establish a parallel government in areas controlled by rebels, marking a significant development in the ongoing civil war in the country.
The charter envisions a secular, democratic, decentralized state with a unified national army, though it preserves armed groups' rights to maintain their forces, highlighting potential challenges in military integration.
Key signatories include SPLM-N leader Abdelaziz al-Hilu and RSF deputy Abdel Rahim Daglo, while RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo was notably absent from the signing ceremony.
The Spin
Narrative A
The establishment of a peace government is essential to end the devastating war, ensure humanitarian aid delivery, and protect civilians in RSF-controlled areas who have been cut off from essential services and basic rights.
Narrative B
The formation of a parallel government threatens to increase Sudan's fragmentation, violates national sovereignty, and appears to be an attempt to achieve politically what the RSF cannot accomplish militarily. This could potentially worsen the ongoing crisis.