The African Union has firmly rejected the Rapid Support Forces’ move to establish a parallel government in Sudan, warning it could worsen the ongoing civil war and derail any path to peace. Just days ago, the RSF announced the creation of a 15-member “executive council” to govern the parts of Sudan under its control. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, was named president of the new council, while former civilian leader Mohamed Hassan al-Ta’ayshi—who served in Sudan’s now-dissolved transitional government—was appointed prime minister.
In response, the AU on Monday urged all member states and the broader international community not to recognize the RSF-led administration, describing it as a dangerous escalation that risks the fragmentation of Sudan. “The establishment of a parallel government undermines national unity, regional stability, and efforts towards a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict,” said Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
Sudan has been gripped by civil war since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF over control of the country’s transitional government. The capital, Khartoum, and much of central and eastern Sudan remain under army control, while the RSF dominates large swaths of Darfur and Kordofan. According to rights groups, recent RSF-led offensives in Darfur have resulted in mass killings, raising concerns of ethnic violence and potential war crimes. The United Nations estimates that over 14,000 people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced since the war began.
International mediators, including the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United States, have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and a return to peace talks. However, efforts have stalled as both sides continue to entrench their positions. The AU warned that the RSF’s unilateral action could create a precedent for further fragmentation, encouraging other factions to declare self-rule. “We urge both parties to return to the negotiation table and refrain from taking actions that could escalate tensions and prolong the suffering of the Sudanese people,” the AU said. As the humanitarian crisis deepens and governance collapses across much of Sudan, observers fear that the conflict may spiral into a broader regional security threat if not urgently addressed.
