Amid reports of new atrocities committed by their troops in Sudan, leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) were celebrated at a political event in Kenya. The paramilitary group, engaged in a civil war for power in Sudan, hosted a significant political gathering in Nairobi on Tuesday.
At the event, R.S.F. deputy leader Abdul Rahim Dagalo, who is under American sanctions, received a warm welcome from hundreds of attendees at a state-owned convention center. Although Dagalo did not address the crowd, a charter intended to establish a parallel government in R.S.F.-controlled areas was not signed, as officials indicated they required three more days to negotiate its terms with Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, the leader of another Sudanese rebel faction.
This meeting symbolized a pivotal moment for the R.S.F., which was recently accused of genocide by the United States. It comes amid shifting battle dynamics in Sudan and evolving American foreign policy in the region. The Sudanese army has achieved several victories against the R.S.F., pushing them out of key territories in Khartoum and central Sudan.
During the event, speakers criticized the army and expressed aspirations for a “new Sudan.” Al-Hilu emphasized the need for a new constitution and social contract to address governance issues in the country. Other speakers praised the R.S.F. as a pro-democracy movement, while reports from Sudan detailed fresh atrocities attributed to the group.
Activists and Sudanese officials have accused R.S.F. fighters of killing over 200 individuals, including infants, during a recent assault in White Nile state. The Sudanese foreign ministry reported a death toll of 433. Additionally, R.S.F. fighters have been implicated in violent attacks on civilians in the Darfur region.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the R.S.F., has resulted in widespread suffering, with tens of thousands dead and over 12 million displaced. The situation has been exacerbated by a foreign aid freeze, leading to the closure of numerous volunteer-run soup kitchens in Khartoum.
The United Nations has appealed for $6 billion to address the ongoing crisis. The feasibility of the R.S.F.'s plan to establish its own government remains uncertain, as historical precedents in Sudan show a tendency for fragile peace deals to collapse.
Despite these challenges, the R.S.F. continues to receive substantial support from the United Arab Emirates, which aims to ensure its proxy does not lose the conflict. Meanwhile, Sudan’s military chief has also expressed intentions to form a new government led by a civilian prime minister.
If the R.S.F. charter is realized, it could significantly alter the course of the war, potentially deepening divisions within the country. The ability of the R.S.F. to launch its political initiative in a Kenyan convention center has raised suspicions among Sudanese officials regarding Kenya's stance in the conflict.