The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group engaged in Sudan’s devastating civil war, has signed a political charter with its allies in Nairobi, Kenya, aiming to establish a parallel government in areas they control. The charter was signed late on Saturday and is seen as an audacious move by a group accused of genocide by the United States. Critics fear this could lead to further division within Sudan. The RSF’s deputy leader and the S.P.L.M.-N., a secular rebel group that stayed neutral until recently but is now aligned with the RSF, were among the signatories.

The signing ceremony in Nairobi, which involved leaders accused of war crimes, sparked a diplomatic dispute between Sudan and Kenya. Sudan’s military government accused Kenya of “disgraceful” behavior, labeling it as hostile and recalling its ambassador from Nairobi. Kenya’s Foreign Ministry, however, claimed they were providing a platform to address Sudan’s slide into anarchy.

The RSF’s video of the signing shows its deputy leader, Abdul Rahim Dagalo, with a 16-page document calling for a “secular, democratic and decentralized state” in Sudan that respects the religious and ethnic identities of its citizens. Yet, there are doubts over the RSF’s commitment to governance, given their history of brutality and lack of experience in administration. They have not set a timeline for establishing a breakaway government, while Sudan’s de facto leader, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, also plans to form a new, more inclusive government based in Port Sudan.

Critics argue that Kenya’s President William Ruto may be bowing to pressure from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the RSF’s main foreign backer and a growing influence in Africa. Kenya’s negotiations for a $1.5 billion loan from the UAE, which could alleviate its heavy debt, have been ongoing for over four months. The US has not directly commented on the RSF’s political initiative, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously criticized Emirati support for the RSF during his confirmation hearing.

The RSF’s recent political move contrasts with its recent military setbacks in Sudan. Despite losing ground to the military, including areas around Khartoum and a key region in central Sudan, the RSF still controls a significant portion of the country and is pressing against the besieged city of El Fasher, which faces famine. The RSF’s continued military strength is attributed to the UAE’s support and tacit backing from several of Sudan’s neighbors, including Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and possibly Kenya.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/world/africa/sudan-rsf-paramilitaries-kenya-charter-government-civil-war.html