The agreement, inked behind closed doors at 2 a.m. on Sunday in Nairobi, led to the formation of the Sudan Founding Alliance.

The signing marked the culmination of four days of intense negotiations in Kenya, where key stakeholders convened to chart the way forward for Sudan.

More than 20 political parties, 10 civil organizations, and five military groups, including the RSF, were signatories to the charter.

The agreement calls for the creation of a "secular, democratic, decentralized state" in Sudan, based on principles of freedom, equality, and justice, without favouritism towards any cultural, ethnic, religious, or regional identity. One of its most contentious provisions is the formation of a "new, unified, professional, national army," incorporating all armed factions while eliminating political interference within the military.

The new army would be tasked with ending the ongoing conflict, countering terrorism, and improving diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries. The charter also aims to ensure unhindered humanitarian aid and integrate armed groups into a single, national force.

Among the signatories was Abdelaziz al-Hilu, a powerful rebel leader controlling significant territories in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. Abdel Rahim Daglo, the deputy and brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also signed the pact.

However, the formation of this parallel government has sparked concern among international bodies, including the United Nations, which warned that such moves could further fragment Sudan and exacerbate the crisis. The Arab League also condemned actions that could threaten Sudan’s unity.

Diplomatic tensions

The Sudanese army, which has been battling the RSF for control, strongly opposed the formation of the alliance. Sudan’s government in Port Sudan has accused Kenya of hosting a “rebel militia” and recalled its ambassador from Nairobi in protest.

In response, Kenyan President William Ruto maintained that Kenya had merely provided a neutral platform for Sudanese stakeholders to engage in dialogue.

Despite growing diplomatic friction, signatories of the pact insisted that their goal was to resolve Sudan’s deep-rooted problems rather than further divide the nation. They argued that the government operating out of Port Sudan had failed to bring peace and that the new alliance would provide a pathway toward stability.

The war between the RSF and the Sudanese army, which began in April 2023, has devastated the country, leading to what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst hunger and displacement crises. More than 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and famine looms in multiple regions.

While the RSF has seized most of the western Darfur region and parts of Kordofan, it is facing pushback from the Sudanese army in central Sudan. The army recently retook key areas in greater Khartoum and Al Jazirah state, further intensifying the conflict.

With both the RSF and the Sudanese army solidifying their respective power bases, Sudan appears increasingly divided. The formation of a rival government threatens to deepen existing fractures, making peace efforts even more complex.

More than 20 political parties, 10 civil organizations, and five military groups, including the RSF, were signatories to the charter.