African Union Rejects Sudan's Parallel Government Warns of Country’s Unity Risk

Post by : Priya

Photo:Reuters

In a significant and solemn declaration, the African Union (AU) on July 30, 2025, reaffirmed its firm stance against the so-called parallel government recently announced in Sudan by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied groups. The AU’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) issued a stern statement urging all African Union member states and the international community not to recognize or support this new administration, warning that such recognition could seriously endanger Sudan’s fragile unity and stall ongoing peace efforts.

Sudan, a country rich in history and cultural diversity, has been embroiled in a brutal civil war since April 2023, when tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary RSF erupted into full-scale conflict. The war has wrought unprecedented havoc, causing more than 30,000 deaths and displacing over 12 million people, making it one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. While the national military holds sway over eastern and northern parts of Sudan, the RSF controls parts of western Darfur and large areas in the south, resulting in a fractured nation struggling to maintain its cohesion.

The RSF and 18 allied movements, in a rallying move rooted in their control of certain territories, declared a “government of peace and unity” in Nairobi, Kenya, seeking to establish a rival administration to Sudan’s internationally recognized government. This announcement has drawn immediate and harsh criticism from the AU and key global actors. The AU PSC, meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, declared that it “does not recognize” this parallel government, describing it as a dangerous step toward the potential partition of Sudan.

The AU statement underscored the risk that the RSF’s move poses to Sudan’s future, emphasizing the potential to deepen divisions and derail the peace roadmap that African leaders have painstakingly developed. The council called on all states to reject this parallel entity and to reinforce efforts toward inclusive dialogue and negotiated settlements rather than fractured governance structures, which only exacerbate instability.

Kenya’s role in this episode has been contentious. Initially, Nairobi defended its actions by citing its history of facilitating peace processes in the region—including notable agreements that ended other conflicts in Somalia in 2004 and Sudan’s own Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005. However, international scrutiny and domestic criticism, including from the Kenyan President William Ruto’s political circles, have pressured Kenya to distance itself from endorsing the RSF’s parallel government. The Kenyan government now faces a delicate balancing act between regional diplomacy and the imperative to uphold international norms respecting sovereignty.

The Sudanese government, which holds international legitimacy and recognition, has condemned this parallel government as a breach of Sudan’s sovereignty. It accused Kenya of enabling the RSF’s illegal move and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and stability in Sudan while defending territorial integrity. Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the AU’s clear denunciation, viewing it as a reinforcement of principles of state sovereignty, unity, and the rejection of foreign interference.

This crisis places Sudan at a precarious crossroad. Years of peace agreements, already fragile, now face the challenge of a divided country where two governments claim legitimacy. The AU’s steadfast position reflects a principled defense of national unity and signals a rejection of any tactic perceived as undermining peace efforts or encouraging fragmentation.

Sudan’s conflict is more than a local or regional challenge; it entails a broad humanitarian and security concern with global repercussions. The fighting has displaced more than 12 million people internally and driven about 3.2 million refugees to neighboring countries. The humanitarian situation grows increasingly dire, with reports of severe food insecurity affecting millions, and widespread destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods. International bodies, including the United Nations and the European Union, have echoed the AU’s warnings and have expressed grave concern over the declaration of the parallel government.

The AU has emphasized its commitment to working with all Sudanese stakeholders through a roadmap established in May 2023 to “silence the guns” permanently in Sudan. This roadmap advocates for an inclusive political process aimed at ending the conflict, restoring governance under the recognized transitional authorities, and addressing the root causes of violence and division.

The AU’s renewed call to reject the parallel government is not merely a political statement but a clarion call to preserve Sudan’s territorial integrity and promote peace and stability across the continent. The international community’s response will be crucial in this effort. Recognition or support of any breakaway administration risks legitimizing divisions and could fuel further conflict and humanitarian suffering.

In summary, Sudan stands at a momentous and difficult juncture. The African Union’s rejection of the RSF’s parallel government underscores the urgency of preserving unity, sovereignty, and peace. Moving forward demands that Sudanese leaders, regional actors, and the global community prioritize dialogue over division. The hope remains that a peaceful resolution can restore stability and bring relief to millions affected by years of conflict.

African Union Sudan