- Sudan’s RSF and multiple political, civil, and military groups signed a deal to form a unity government.
- The new coalition aims to lead Sudan toward peace and stability.
- The closed-door talks in Nairobi involved over 4,000 stakeholders, including 20+ political parties and 10 civil organizations.
- The deal outlines the creation of a unified national army, a decentralized government, and a democratic system.
- Implementation faces hurdles due to ongoing hostilities with Sudan’s regular army.
In a landmark political development, Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and a coalition of political, civil, and military factions have signed an agreement to establish a unity government.
The pact, finalized at 2 a.m. on Sunday in Nairobi, creates the Sudan Founding Alliance, an entity set to guide the war-torn nation toward peace and stability.
This breakthrough follows four days of intense negotiations, hosted by Kenya, bringing together over 4,000 stakeholders, including:
- More than 20 political parties
- 10 civil organizations
- 5 military factions, with the RSF at the forefront
Key Highlights of the Agreement
The newly signed charter seeks to resolve Sudan’s deep-rooted conflicts, which have displaced over 12 million people and led to what the UN calls the world’s worst hunger and displacement crisis.
The agreement lays out an ambitious vision for a “new Sudan”, including:
- A unified, professional national army that represents Sudan’s diversity and remains free from political interference.
- Ending the war, countering terrorism, and fostering regional diplomatic ties.
- A secular, democratic, and decentralized state rooted in freedom, equality, and justice.
Key Signatories and Political Backing
Among the prominent figures who signed the deal are:
- Abdel Rahim Daglo, deputy to RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo
- A faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, which controls parts of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states
The inclusion of such diverse factions signals broad support for the initiative, although implementation challenges remain, given the ongoing hostilities with Sudan’s regular army.
Kenya’s Role as a Neutral Mediator
Kenya’s mediation efforts have drawn praise from signatories, with insiders noting that President William Ruto resisted pressure from external forces who accused Nairobi of attempting to establish a rival Sudanese government on Kenyan soil.
“Kenya has simply provided a platform for Sudanese stakeholders to find solutions,” said one participant, stressing Nairobi’s neutral role.
What’s Next for Sudan?
The agreement comes as Sudan struggles to recover from the devastating war that broke out in April 2023 between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The conflict has uprooted millions and pushed the country to the brink of collapse.
While the unity deal offers a glimmer of hope, the real test lies in its execution—particularly in addressing ongoing conflicts and securing wider buy-in from all stakeholders.
