Sudan’s RSF and allies have signed a transitional constitution to establish a parallel government amidst ongoing conflict with the army. The constitution aims to create a federal, secular state and outlines provisions for self-determination and elections, although details about the future government’s structure remain unclear.
On Tuesday, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied factions formalized plans for a parallel government by signing a transitional constitution. This development marks a significant shift amidst an ongoing two-year conflict with the army, which threatens to further divide the nation. The RSF has faced recent setbacks in the war, characterized by severe humanitarian crises, including mass displacements and rampant violence.
In the context of the conflict, the RSF executed a long-range drone strike targeting Sudan’s primary power facility at the Merowe Dam, disrupting electrical supply across northern regions, as stated by the Sudanese army. Concurrently, the army reported territorial advancements in Sharg el-Nil as they work to encircle the RSF in the capital, Khartoum.
The newly established constitution aims to replace a prior constitution that followed the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir during the 2019 uprising. Since then, coexisting military factions, the RSF and the army, have faced off in a conflict that escalated following a coup in 2021 that disrupted the transition to civilian governance, recently reigniting in April 2023.
Earlier in 2023, the RSF and its associates made a commitment to developing a government for a “New Sudan,” intending to garner legitimacy against the army-led administration and facilitate arms procurement. The proposed constitution delineates a federal, secular state divided into eight regions, outlines a bill of rights, and sets forth provisions for self-determination while emphasizing the necessity of religion-state separation.
The constitution also stipulates the establishment of a unified national army, with the signing factions positioned as its foundational element. While the transitional period includes the provision for elections, no specific timeline has been established. Key signatories include the influential SPLM-N and several smaller factions, although details regarding the future government’s composition and operational base remain uncertain.
In summary, Sudan’s RSF and allied factions have taken a significant step by signing a transitional constitution aimed at establishing a parallel government during a protracted conflict. This constitution emphasizes a federal and secular state while promoting regional self-determination and the formation of a unified national army. However, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty regarding the government’s structure and timeline for elections amid ongoing unrest.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
