The United States (US) has issued a formal warning after Sudan Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was allowed to hold a meeting in Nairobi ahead of the launch of a parallel government in Khartoum in what it termed a “Government of Peace and Unity”.
The group signed a charter with other political and armed entities for establishing such a government on February 23 in Nairobi.
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In a statement on Wednesday, March 5, the US Bureau of Africa Affairs said forming a parallel government in Sudan risks further instability.
“The U.S. is deeply concerned by reports the RSF & aligned actors have signed a ‘transitional constitution’ for Sudan,” read the statement in part.
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“Attempts to establish a parallel government are unhelpful for peace & security for the country, and risk further instability and de facto partition of the country.”
US Govt Issues Formal Warning After Kenya Hosted RSF Rebels
This follows a statement by U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, who on Friday, February 21, condemned Kenya’s decision to host the event.
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Risch opined that it was an attempt to obscure the truth of the atrocities committed by warring factions since the civil war erupted.
Also Read: Arab Countries Pile Pressure on Kenya as Egypt Condemns Hosting of RSF Rebels
Senator Risch highlighted that he led efforts in Congress to recognize “RSF-led atrocities in Sudan,” which has since become U.S. policy, adding that Kenya’s actions will not end the massacre.
“Last year, I led efforts in Congress to recognize RSF-led atrocities in Sudan, which have contributed to over 150,000 deaths, as genocide. In January, it became U.S. policy,” the Senator said.
Risch added, “Now, Kenya, a U.S. ally, is helping the RSF legitimize their genocidal rule in #Sudan under the guise of peacemaking—this is an unthinkable attempt to obscure the truth and will not end the massacre.”
Arab Countries Pile Pressure on Kenya
Meanwhile, four Arab countries, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, rejected the attempts by RSF aimed at establishing a rival government in Sudan.
In a statement on March 2, Egypt’s foreign ministry warned that such moves jeopardized the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan.
“Egypt expresses its rejection of any attempts that threaten the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of brotherly Sudan, including the pursuit of forming a parallel Sudanese government,” reads part of the statement.
Also Read: Sudan & UN Address Kenya’s Decision to Host RSF Rebels Meeting
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said it “rejects any illegitimate steps or measures taken outside the framework of the Republic of Sudan’s official institutions that may affect its unity and do not reflect the will of its people, including the call to form a parallel government.
At the same time, Qatar stated that it rejects any form of interference in Sudan’s internal affairs and calls on all parties to prioritize the supreme national interest and to prevent the country from the risk of division.”
Kuwait emphasized the need for the protection of Sudan’s official institutions and its unwavering support to Sudan’s sovereignty and the safety of its people and territories.
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