The African Union (AU), through its Peace and Security Council (PSC), has condemned the announcement by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its affiliated political and social forces of the establishment of a parallel government in the Republic of Sudan.

RSF and allied groups signed a transitional constitution for Sudan on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, taking them a step closer to setting up a parallel government, weeks after they signed a charter in Nairobi, sparking a diplomatic row between Kenya and Sudan.

AU has now warned that such action carries a huge risk of partitioning the country.

In a communique issued on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, a day after the PSC held a meeting on the situation in Sudan, the council called on all AU member states and the international community not to recognize any parallel government or entity seeking to partition and govern any part of the territory of the Republic of Sudan or its institutions.

AU further called on all member states and the international community to refrain from recognizing and/or providing support or assistance to any armed or political group toward the establishment of a parallel government or state entity in the Republic of Sudan.

“Council expressed its grave concern and outright condemnation of the recent developments in Sudan, in particular the announcement by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its affiliated political and social forces of the establishment of a parallel government in the Republic of Sudan, and warned that such action carries a huge risk of partitioning of the country.

“Council called on all AU member states and the international community not to recognize any parallel government or entity seeking to partition and govern any part of the territory of the Republic of Sudan or its institutions; and further called on all member states and the international community to refrain from recognizing and/or providing support or assistance to any armed or political group toward the establishment of a parallel government or state entity in the Republic of Sudan. Council does not recognize the purported parallel government or entity in the Republic of Sudan,” the communique read in part.

The AU council also reaffirmed its commitment to the preservation of the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Sudan, and the peaceful resolution of the current devastating conflict, which has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, causing the displacement of over 12 million Sudanese civilians.

Diplomatic spat

Kenya has been on the receiving end after allowing the RSF and allied groups to sign a charter at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

Days after the RSF signed the charter in Nairobi, Sudan has continued to criticise President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of undermining its sovereignty.

In a statement on Monday, March 3, 2025, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sustained its offensive, describing Kenya’s stance as an irresponsible approach.

The Sudanese Foreign Affairs Ministry added that allowing RSF to sign the charter in Nairobi risks sliding Kenya into the rogue state category.

While reprimanding Kenya, Sudan noted that it had received worldwide support calling for the protection of its independence and sovereignty.

According to the East African nation, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kuwait are among the countries supporting their position in this simmering diplomatic row.

“The Ministry commends the strong principled stances expressed by the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, and the African member states of the Security Council: Algeria, Somalia, and Sierra Leone, as well as the positions of the other Council members Russia, China, the United States, Britain, and Guyana, and the statement issued by Turkey.

“These clear positions affirm that the irresponsible approach of the Kenyan presidency, by embracing the genocide militia and seeking to legitimize its unprecedented crimes, is isolated both internationally and domestically, placing Kenya in the category of a rogue state defying international norms,” the statement read in part.

Kenya’s position

After RSF and other affiliate alliances signed their charter in Nairobi, sparking diplomatic discourse, Kenya immediately released a statement expressing its willingness to support both parties in finding a long-lasting solution to ending conflict in Sudan.

Prime Cabinet Secretary, who doubles up as Foreign Affairs CS, Musalia Mudavadi further defended President Ruto, insisting that he was bipartisan in the whole process and that the country was willing to help end the Sudan conflict.

“We note that this is not the first time groups in Sudan have sought solutions to their crisis by leveraging the good offices of neighbouring countries. Indeed, in January 2024, parties and stakeholders to the Sudanese conflict met in a neighbouring country to chart a way forward on inclusive dialogue and return to civilian rule,” Mudavadi’s stated.

“Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese civilian groups’ tabling of a roadmap and proposed leadership in Nairobi is compatible with Kenya’s role in peace negotiation, which enjoins her to provide non-partisan platforms to conflict parties to seek resolutions.“