HAMILTON, Canada

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday expressed deep concern over the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) announcing of a political charter expressing intention to establish a parallel government in Sudan.

The Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF have been engaged in a civil war since mid-April 2023. The conflict has led to killings of thousands of people, displaced millions, and led to food shortages.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned at the announcement by the Rapid Support Forces and affiliated civilian actors and armed groups of a political charter that expresses an intention to establish a governing authority in Rapid Support Forces areas of control," said a statement by spokesperson's office.

Emphasizing that "this further escalation in the conflict in the Sudan deepens the fragmentation of the country and risks further entrenching the crisis," Guterres said "preserving the Sudan's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity remains key for a sustainable resolution of the conflict and the long-term stability of the country and the wider region."

The UN chief condemned ongoing violence against civilians by both warring sides, including ethnically motivated attacks.

"Sudanese women, children and men are paying the heaviest price for the continued military offensives by the belligerents," statement added.

It said that Guterres' personal envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, "is engaging the warring parties and all other relevant stakeholders to achieve progress on a cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and humanitarian access and promote de-escalation."

On Saturday, the RSF and allied armed groups signed "a political charter" in Kenya to form a parallel government to the Sudanese authorities.

The Sudanese government protested Kenya's hosting of what it called a "conspiracy to establish a government" for the RSF.