The African Union said Wednesday it will not recognize a rival government declared by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, urging member states to follow suit as the country’s two-year civil war deepens.
The AU's Peace and Security Council "called on all AU Member States and the international community to reject the fragmentation of Sudan and not recognize the so-called 'parallel government' which has serious consequences on the peace efforts and the existential future of the country," it said in a statement.
Sudan is split, with the army controlling the north, east and center, having recently retaken the capital Khartoum, while the RSF holds most of Darfur and parts of Kordofan, where recent attacks have killed hundreds according to local rights groups.
The internationally recognized army-aligned government, formed in May, is headed by former U.N. official Kamil Idris.
On Saturday, the RSF announced its own "government of peace and unity" with Mohamed Hassan al-Ta'ayshi as prime minister and a presidential council.
