The African Union (AU) has strongly rejected the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) attempt to establish a rival government in Sudan,calling it a dangerous escalation that threatens to dismantle what remains of the country’s unity and derail peace efforts.
The AU Peace and Security Council issued a firm statement,using an unusually direct language,following the RSF’s 27 July announcement of a 15-member “Government of Peace and Unity,” with RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo,also known as Hemedti,heading a new presidential council and former civilian leader Mohamed Hassan al-Ta’ayshi named prime minister. The AU “only recognizes the Transitional Sovereignty Council and the recently formed civilian transitional government,” the Council declared,warning that the RSF’s move could lead to the “fragmentation of Sudan,” entrench the country’s division and creating “warring cantons.”
Sudan has been locked in a brutal civil war since April 2023,with the military controlling much of the north,east,and center,and the RSF dominating Darfur and parts of Kordofan. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and triggered what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis. The AU also condemned foreign interference,amid widespread allegations that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has armed the RSF in violation of UN embargoes — charges Abu Dhabi denies. The Council called for an immediate,unconditional ceasefire and urged international actors to halt all military support to Sudan’s warring factions.
United News - unews.co.za