AU Rejects Sudan’s ‘parallel Government’ Formed In Nairobi

Sudan bans imports from Kenya

The African Union has rejected the parallel Sudanese government formed recently in Nairobi, while tensions between Sudan and Kenya climb as a result of the latter hosting the meeting that enabled the formation of the entity in question.

On February 23, 2025, Nairobi was the venue for meetings between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, factions of the Revolutionary Front, the National Umma Party, and several other political entities.

These parties signed a political charter and another for a transitional constitution, paving the way for the formation of a parallel authority in areas controlled by the RSF. This move sparked both domestic and international condemnation.

This week, the AU Peace and Security Council convened to discuss the developments and issued a press statement following the meeting.

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The Council expressed its grave concerns and condemned the establishment of a parallel government in Sudan, and warned that such action carries a huge risk of partitioning of the country.

The Council called on all AU member states and the international community not to recognize any parallel government or entity seeking to partition and govern any part of the territory of the Republic of Sudan and urged them to refrain from providing support or assistance for the parallel government declared in Nairobi.

“The Council does not recognize the purported parallel government or entity in the Republic of Sudan,” reads the statement.

In response to President William Ruto’s decision to host the parallel government’s meeting, Sudan has announced it has cut trade ties with Kenya.

The announcement came this week, and Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply suspended all imports from Kenya on Thursday.

The decision “suspends the import of all products originating from Kenya through all ports, crossings, airports, and entry points, effective immediately until further notice,” according to Sudan Tribune.

The Foreign Ministry has also stated that Sudan would take escalating measures, including recalling its ambassador from Nairobi. The Sudanese cabinet says its decision was made to protect Sudan’s “supreme interests,” affirm its sovereignty, and safeguard its national security.

The AU says it is still looking for venues to put an end to Sudan’s conflict, which has been raging for two years now, creating the  world’s largest humanitarian crisis and causing the displacement of over 12 million Sudanese civilians.

The Council called on all parties to heed the calls for a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access during the month of Ramadan and to commit to comprehensive and inclusive peace talks to end the conflict once and for all and restore the unity of the Sudanese state.