Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and 23 allied factions formally established a parallel government on Saturday, signing a political charter in Nairobi that risks cementing the country’s division after nearly two years of war. The move, condemned by the UN and Sudan’s army-aligned regime, comes as violence escalates in Darfur and the Sahel grapples with widening jihadist threats.
RSF Coalition Solidifies Control in West
Led by RSF deputy commander Abdelrahim Dagalo, the coalition includes rebel groups like the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council (SLM-TC), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and the SPLM-North faction under Abdelaziz al-Hilu. The charter outlines plans for a “secular, decentralized state” while allowing armed groups to retain autonomy—a framework critics argue entrenches warlordism.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the move “deepens fragmentation” and exacerbates a conflict that has displaced 14 million and triggered famine-like conditions. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stressed that “preserving Sudan’s unity remains critical for stability”.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Deepens
In Darfur, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) suspended operations at Zamzam camp after RSF assaults killed 11 patients, including five children, and destroyed critical medical infrastructure. Over 139 gunshot victims were treated this month alone, but shortages of equipment and targeted attacks on ambulances have crippled relief efforts.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s army claims territorial gains in el-Gitaina and central regions, though the RSF retains dominance in Darfur. Analysts warn the rival administrations—Port Sudan’s regime and the RSF’s western bloc—could prolong fighting, undermining African Union-led mediation.
Sahel Security: Morocco Thwarts ISIS Plot
In a related development, Moroccan authorities dismantled a 12-member ISIS cell plotting Sahel attacks, seizing explosives, firearms, and propaganda materials. The group, radicalized online and directed by a Libyan ISIS leader, planned remote-controlled bombings, highlighting expanding jihadist networks in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Regional Implications
- Diplomatic Fallout: Kenya faces scrutiny for hosting the RSF signing ceremony, while the AU prepares emergency talks.
- Counterterrorism: Morocco’s operation underscores Sahel states’ reliance on regional allies amid French withdrawal and rising ISIS activity.
- Humanitarian Crisis: UN agencies report that 3.4 million people in Somalia are facing acute hunger, and Sudan’s crisis is straining cross-border resources.
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