By Eddah Waithaka
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied political and armed groups signed a landmark charter late Saturday in Nairobi, aiming to establish a government of peace and unity, signatories al-Hadi Idris and Ibrahim al-Mirghani announced at a press conference.
The agreement, reached after months of delays, marks a significant step toward ending Sudan’s protracted conflict and achieving stability.
Among the key signatories is Abdelaziz al-Hilu, a prominent rebel leader who controls large territories and troops in South Kordofan state. Al-Hilu has long advocated for Sudan to adopt secularism, a demand that has been a central point of contention in the country’s political landscape. The charter outlines a new political path, with the proposed government tasked with ending the war and fostering national unity.
The signing ceremony followed extensive consultations among various political and civil forces, armed movements, and the RSF. The newly formed coalition plans to establish a three-tier governance structure: a Sovereignty Council, a Council of Ministers, and a legislative body representing all sectors of Sudan’s population. An official announcement is expected within Sudan in the coming days.
The charter emphasizes that the new government’s purpose is not to divide the country but to unify it and end the ongoing conflict. It criticizes the army-aligned government based in Port Sudan for failing to achieve these goals. The RSF, a paramilitary group accused of widespread human rights abuses, including genocide, has faced international scrutiny. Its leader, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, was sanctioned by the U.S. earlier this year for his role in the violence.
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Despite the challenges, RSF supporters believe the charter represents a new dawn for Sudan’s growth and stability. The Sudanese government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of backing the RSF militarily and financially, allegations that U.N. experts and U.S. lawmakers have deemed credible. The UAE has denied these claims.
Kenya, which hosted the signing ceremony, defended its role in facilitating the talks. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi stated that Nairobi’s involvement aligns with its long history of mediating conflicts in Africa. He cited the 2002 Machakos Protocol, which ended Sudan’s second civil war, as an example of Kenya’s successful peacekeeping efforts.
“Kenya has a long history of providing platforms for peace negotiations without taking sides,” Mudavadi said. He emphasized that Kenya’s actions were non-partisan and aimed at supporting Sudanese-led efforts toward stability. The government refuted accusations that hosting the RSF violated Sudan’s sovereignty, arguing that it provided a neutral space for dialogue.
The RSF and its allies have been meeting in Nairobi since Monday to finalize the charter. RSF Deputy Commander Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo led the Sudanese delegation at the Kenyatta International Conference Center, where he announced that a significant development would be unveiled on Friday. The group expressed gratitude to Kenya for hosting the talks and revealed that a draft constitution, supported by all stakeholders, had been developed to outline the transitional government’s structure.
Sudan’s government, however, condemned Kenya’s decision to host the RSF, calling it “an act of hostility.” The criticism came ahead of the RSF’s planned announcement of a parallel government, which has heightened tensions in the region.
As regional and international pressure mounts to resolve the Sudanese crisis, the Nairobi charter represents a critical, albeit contentious, step toward peace. Whether the agreement will lead to lasting stability or further complicate Sudan’s political landscape remains to be seen. For now, the RSF and its allies are optimistic that the new government will pave the way for a unified and peaceful Sudan.
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