The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) on Tuesday condemned the formation of a rival government in Sudan by an alliance backed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), calling it a threat to the country’s stability.
The council rejected the July 26 declaration by the Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis), warning that the move risks further fracturing Sudan and undermining peace efforts.
“This act risks the fragmentation of Sudan,” the PSC said in a statement, stressing that it endangers the country’s future. The council reaffirmed its support for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It urged African Union member states and the international community not to recognize the parallel administration, reiterating that the AU only recognizes Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council and the newly formed civilian transitional government as legitimate.
Any political agreement must be inclusive and reflect the will of the Sudanese people, the council added.
The AU called for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, urging warring factions to resume negotiations and commit to a peaceful transition. “There is no viable or sustainable military solution to the conflict,” the statement said.
The PSC also denounced foreign interference in Sudan’s conflict, citing violations of AU resolutions and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1556 (2004). It demanded that external actors halt all military and financial support to the warring sides.
On Saturday, the RSF announced a 15-member rival government, appointing RSF leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, as head of its presidential council.
The group named the leader of a major rebel faction as his deputy and appointed Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi as prime minister, along with regional governors for areas under its control. The announcement was made during a news conference in Nyala, a city in the war-torn Darfur region.