New York Times: Sudan’s Crisis Worsens as UAE’s Schemes Unfold
The American newspaper, The New York Times, highlighted that the Sudanese scene is becoming more complex due to the UAE’s conspiracies, with ongoing military fighting alongside attempts by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias to establish a parallel government, threatening further divisions in the country.
The newspaper warned that the UAE remains the main supporter of the RSF militias, and that some neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and possibly now Kenya, are providing implicit support.
It pointed out that the RSF militias have declared that they are paving the way to end the civil war, while critics describe it as a bold step from a group accused by the United States of committing genocide.
The RSF, a paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese army in the ongoing civil war, signed a political pact with its allies in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, in an effort to establish a parallel Sudanese government in areas under its control.
The RSF claims that this agreement will pave the way for peace after nearly two years of war that has claimed thousands of lives and caused a catastrophic famine.
However, critics describe the move as a daring gamble from a group accused by the United States of committing genocide, warning that the pact could lead to further fragmentation of Sudan.
Among the signatories of the pact is the deputy leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a secular rebel group that had remained outside the conflict until last week, but is now fully allied with the RSF.
The announcement has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Sudan and Kenya, with the Sudanese government, backed by the army, calling the move “an act of hostility” and recalling its ambassador from Nairobi.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it was “only seeking to provide a platform for Sudanese stakeholders” to prevent the country from sliding into chaos.
Despite this, Kenyan President William Ruto faced widespread criticism in his own country for hosting the Sudanese militia, with the International Commission of Jurists in Kenya describing him as “complicit in the mass atrocities against the Sudanese people.”
One Kenyan newspaper described Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), leader of the RSF, as “the butcher” on its front page.
During the signing of the agreement, Abdul Rahim Dagalo, the RSF deputy leader, appeared holding a copy of the pact before a crowd of delegates.
The pact, which The New York Times reviewed, calls for a “secular, democratic, and decentralized Sudanese state” that respects the religious and ethnic identities of all citizens.
However, many Sudanese are skeptical about the RSF’s ability or even its desire to govern the country fairly, especially given its record of brutality and violations in the areas it controls.
Meanwhile, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese army, continues his efforts to form a new, more inclusive administration in the temporary capital, Port Sudan.
Analysts believe that UAE’s support for the RSF is a key factor in strengthening its power, as Abu Dhabi is considered the main sponsor of the Sudanese militia.
It is also believed that Kenya’s move came as a result of pressure from the UAE, which has become a major influence in Africa.
Kenya is seeking to secure a $1.5 billion loan from the UAE, a deal that has been under negotiation for four months and is expected to be completed this week, according to Bloomberg reports.
So far, the Trump administration has not commented on the RSF’s political initiative in Kenya.
However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had described UAE’s support for the RSF as “genocide” during a hearing in January.
It is noteworthy that despite the RSF’s political celebrations, it is facing military setbacks, with the Sudanese army having regained parts of the capital, Khartoum, and expelled the militia from strategic areas in central Sudan.
