African Union warns of Sudan’s possible partition
The African Union has said the announcement of the parallel government in war-hit Sudan puts the country in danger of undergoing a partition, The New Arab and agencies reported on March 12th.
The Sudan army (SAF) have been in fierce conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. The war started over disputes regarding the assimilation of the RSF into the Army. As a result, the conflict has seen tens of thousands of deaths and over 12 million people uprooted.
The war has torn the country apart. Consequently, the army now controls eastern and northern Sudan, while the RSF controls parts of the south and almost all of western Darfur. Both parties have been accused of war crimes.
In February, the RSF combined with its allies signed a “founding charter” of a parallel government in Nairobi.
The African Union (AU) criticised the decision, warning that “such action carries a huge risk of partitioning of the country.”
Hence, the AU urged member states and the international community, “not to recognise any government or parallel entity aimed at partitioning and governing part of the territory of the Republic of Sudan or its institutions”.
The signatories to the charter intend to produce a “government of peace and unity” in rebel-controlled areas. Thus, they vowed to “build a secular, democratic, decentralised state, based on freedom, equality and justice, without cultural, ethnic, religious or regional bias.”
In early March, the RSF and its allies signed a “Transitional Constitution” document.
Furthermore, the UN security council has expressed concern over the signing. They stressed that it could exacerbate an already critical humanitarian circumstance.
The New Arab
