By Adel Abdelrheem and Ikram Kouachi
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) - The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), locked in an armed conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023, allied political groups and armed movements signed a political agreement in Nairobi, Kenya aimed at establishing a parallel government in Sudan.
The pact, signed late Saturday, follows five days of deliberations, which have been met with strong opposition from the Sudanese government, which accused Kenya of hosting a “conspiracy to establish a government” for the RSF.
The agreement was signed by Abdel-Rahim Dagalo, a representative of the RSF; Joseph Toka, representing the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu; and Al-Hadi Idris of the Sudan Liberation Movement. Also present were senior figures including Sudanese National Umma Party leader Fadlallah Burma Nasser and Ibrahim al-Mirghani of the Democratic Unionist Party.
In a statement, the political pact outlined several key objectives, primarily focused on “ending the ongoing conflict in Sudan” and achieving a just peace.
It stressed the need to provide humanitarian aid, protect civilians, and safeguard Sudan’s unity.
It also called for “the restoration of a civilian democratic government, the reestablishment of citizens’ constitutional rights, the dissolution of the current military structure, and the creation of a new national army.”
The pact called for a “democratic, pluralistic government with a decentralized system that acknowledges the rights of regions to manage their political, economic, and cultural affairs.”
There was no immediate comment from the Sudanese government on the agreement.
Earlier this week, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry recalled its ambassador to Kenya, Kamal Jabara, “for consultations in response to Nairobi’s hosting of meetings involving the Rapid Support Forces militia and its allies, in a hostile move against Sudan.”
The ministry urged the Kenyan presidency to reverse the “dangerous course of action that threatens regional peace and security while encouraging terrorism, genocide and gross human rights violations.”
The Kenyan Foreign Ministry defended the meeting, saying it was part of efforts in coordination with the UN and the African Union to find a solution to end the war in Sudan.
The fighting in the North African country has killed thousands of people, displaced millions and led to a humanitarian catastrophe including disease and a hunger crisis.