Sudanese FM rejects parallel government
January 1, 2024 (CAIRO) – In a first official reaction to forming a government challenging the military-led administration, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssif on Tuesday rejected any moves to establish a parallel government, saying it would complicate the country’s crisis.
Several Sudanese political forces, including figures from the anti-war Tagadum coalition, have consulted in recent weeks in Nairobi to discuss the formation of what they called a “peace government,” a move welcomed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“Sudan cannot recognize moves to form a government in exile or a parallel government because it will lead to weakening Sudan and complicate efforts to address the current crisis,” Sharif said.
He added that such moves would fragment Sudan, similar to the situation in Libya, which is ruled by two governments in the east and west.
The foreign minister considered these calls a new conspiracy against Sudan, supported by external parties, due to the progress made by the armed forces in their confrontations with the RSF. He indicated that his country is counting on countries supporting Sudan’s unity and stability to thwart these moves and to affirm their non-recognition.
Regarding warnings of famine in Sudan, Yassin condemned the talk of some international powers about his country facing famine, stressing that some parties claim this to push the Security Council to intervene. He stressed that the situation in his country has not reached the level of famine, but rather, there is an internal food crisis.
The Sudanese top diplomat considered the international position towards the “crimes of the RSF” weak, noting that “most of the crimes committed against civilians are documented, but the reaction of international organizations is very weak.” He pointed out that “what the militia is doing is sufficient for the International Criminal Court to take action against its leaders.”
He added that “Sudan has taken legal measures before international organizations such as the Security Council and the African Union, hoping to classify the RSF as a terrorist group.”
The minister criticized what he described as the international community’s “ignoring” of the crisis in Sudan in light of the international preoccupation with the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. He said: “The world has not given the crisis in Sudan what it deserves,” calling for the need to take measures to prevent the movement and travel of RSF leaders and to hold accountable the countries that host them.
Military solution
Regarding the proposed solutions to stop the war, the Sudanese minister confirmed that “the military solution is the only way to deal with the internal war currently,” noting that “the Sudanese army is on the path of a military solution, in the absence of another path for negotiation on the scene.”
Sharif believes that “the final solution to stop the war must include a ceasefire agreement first, then the final dismantling of the RSF,” noting that his country will not tolerate the presence of other forces alongside the army again.
The minister stressed that the delay in the military resolution by the army is not due to its weakness but rather due to the RSF elements taking shelter among civilians and civilian targets.
He stressed that the political issue cannot be resolved now while the war continues but rather must be left to the civilian forces to discuss after a ceasefire.