Sudan Founding Alliance unveils new constitution in Nairobi

After a series of controversial meetings in Nairobi, condemned by the United Nations and backed by the Kenyan government amid uproar by Kenyans, the newly formed Sudan Founding Alliance has introduced a new constitution days after signing a political charter.

The constitution, signed by 24 armed and civil society groups, including the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North) in Nairobi on Monday at 4am, seeks to replace the 2019 Transitional Sovereignty Council’s constitution and aims to redefine Sudan's political structure.

The proposed constitution outlines a radical shift in Sudan’s governance, a secular, federal state that dismantles decades of Arabic Islamic rule.

The goal is to separate religion from politics, establishing a three-tiered system of governance; federal, regional, and local.

“We are not separatists, and we will not tear the country apart. Our goal is to dismantle the government in Port Sudan and keep the rest of Sudan united. If they want to continue the fighting, we are ready to defend ourselves,” said Amar Amoun – Secretary General, SPLM-N.

Despite the ongoing two-year war, the Sudan Founding Alliance is pushing for international recognition.

They argue that Sudan’s Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, have no legitimacy, and their plan offers a path to peace for Sudan’s people.

“We stand on the legitimacy of our people. International legitimacy will follow when the people’s rights are respected,” said former Sudan Justice Minister, Nasredeen Abdulbari.

However, the call for legitimacy is also distant for the Sudan Founding Alliance. The RSF has been accused of massacring thousands, with reports of over 200 people shot dead while crossing the Nile in the White Nile area.

The United Nations Security Council has condemned the creation of a parallel government in Sudan by the RSF and its allies.

“Where is the UN while these forces drop cluster bombs and chemical weapons on innocent civilians? Anyone who supports this criminal government should be ashamed of themselves,” said Sudan National Umma Party Representative Hammad Salih.

The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, controls much of Darfur and parts of southern Sudan.

One of its allies, the SPLM-N, led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, governs areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

The alliance has consolidated control over southern Sudan and gained access to borders with Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Although the Sudan Founding Alliance insists it does not seek to partition Sudan, the ongoing conflict with the Sudan Armed Forces raises questions about the future of the country.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has denounced the formation of this political charter and constitution in Nairobi.

The Sudan Founding Alliance is calling for international recognition but the United Nations maintains that both the RSF and the SAF are belligerents that have committed massive atrocities.