The African Union has stated that the declaration of a parallel government in conflict-ridden Sudan could lead to the fragmentation of the country, which is already suffering from nearly two years of intense fighting.
A fierce conflict has been raging between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 2023, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives and displacing over 12 million people.
The root of the conflict lies in the disagreement over the integration of the RSF into the army, dividing the country as the military asserts control over eastern and northern Sudan while the RSF dominates western Darfur and large parts of the south.
Last month, the RSF and its allies signed a charter to establish a breakaway government, further exacerbating the country’s disintegration.
The signatories of the charter aim to establish a government for peace and unity in areas under rebel control, as reported by the AFP news agency.
The African Union (AU) issued a warning on Wednesday citing the potential risk of the country being partitioned due to this development.
The AU called on all member states and the international community to refrain from recognizing any government or parallel entity seeking to divide the Republic of Sudan or its institutions.
In a statement, the AU declared that it does not acknowledge the so-called government or parallel entity in the Republic of Sudan.
Similarly, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan on Tuesday.
This comes after a warning from the United Nations Security Council last week expressing deep concerns about the founding charter, which could worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Sudan.
The conflict in Sudan has devastated the nation, causing widespread displacement.
Last month, UN rights chief Volker Turk warned that Sudan is on the brink of a major crisis and is currently facing the largest displacement crisis globally, with millions of people forced to flee their homes due to the conflict.
Additionally, the UN recently cautioned that nearly 25 million people in Sudan are experiencing severe food insecurity, with 600,000 individuals at risk of starvation.
