Khartoum: Considers Action Over UK Japan RSF Meetings

• Sudanese authorities are considering measures against recent meetings between British and Japanese officials and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leaders in Nairobi.
• Khartoum views these meetings, reportedly for humanitarian discussions, as a violation of national sovereignty and an endorsement of a parallel government.
• The Sudanese government previously warned foreign entities on January 28 against dealing with RSF-affiliated organizations, threatening work permit revocations.
• The African Peace and Security Council, in July 2025, condemned parallel authorities and urged international engagement solely with the legitimate Sudanese government, led by Chairman of the Sovereign Council General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
• British officials justified their contact with the RSF by citing the necessity of securing aid flow and protecting aid workers in RSF-controlled territories.

Engaging with the RSF, even for humanitarian purposes, could be perceived by Khartoum as legitimizing a parallel government or violating Sudan’s sovereignty.

Sudanese authorities are currently evaluating potential measures in response to recent meetings held in Nairobi, where British and Japanese officials engaged with leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). High-level government sources, speaking to Sudan Tribune on Saturday, September 19, 2026, indicated that Khartoum considers action UK Japan RSF meetings to be a significant concern. While the stated purpose of these UK Japan RSF Nairobi engagements was to discuss humanitarian affairs, the Sudanese government views such interactions with deep apprehension.

This development comes as the Sudan government response RSF meetings is being formulated, with officials assessing the implications of these international contacts. The government's stance underscores its firm position against any actions perceived as legitimizing a 'parallel government' or undermining the nation's sovereignty, signaling a period of heightened scrutiny for all foreign interactions within the Sudanese context.

This is not the first instance where Khartoum has voiced strong objections to external engagement with non-state actors. On January 28, the Sudanese government issued a clear warning to all foreign agencies and organizations, cautioning them against dealing with the "Sudanese Agency for Relief and Humanitarian Operations," an entity affiliated with the RSF. At that time, Khartoum explicitly stated that such interactions would be interpreted as a violation of Sudan sovereignty parallel government principles and an acknowledgment of institutions operating outside the legitimate authority.

In conjunction with this warning, the government threatened to implement legal and administrative actions, including the cancellation of work permits, against any entities found to be in breach of this directive. Further bolstering its position, the African Peace and Security Council Sudan issued a statement on July 29, 2025, condemning the formation of any parallel authority and urging the international community to restrict its dealings to the official Sudanese government, led by Chairman of the Sovereign Council General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the transitional cabinet, until a broader government is established. These international resolutions and prior warnings form a critical backdrop to the current deliberations regarding the UK Japan RSF meetings.

British officials have reportedly justified their communication with RSF leaders by emphasizing the critical need to ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid and to safeguard aid workers operating in areas under RSF control. This perspective highlights the complex challenges faced by international actors seeking to deliver assistance in conflict zones.

However, Sudanese government sources have vehemently condemned the Nairobi meetings, alleging "Kenyan complicity" in their facilitation. They contend that these engagements directly contravene UN Security Council resolutions that reject the establishment of a "parallel government," viewing such actions as a direct threat to Sudan's unity and ongoing peace efforts. The government's current evaluation aims to determine an appropriate official response to these perceived violations of its sovereignty and international diplomatic norms.

The Sudanese government's ongoing assessment of the UK Japan RSF meetings and its stated intent to take measures carries significant implications for international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and foreign entities operating within Sudan. The explicit threat of Sudan work permit revocation RSF-related dealings, previously articulated, remains a potent tool at Khartoum's disposal.

Engaging with the RSF, even for humanitarian purposes, could be perceived by Khartoum as legitimizing a parallel government or violating Sudan’s sovereignty. This necessitates that all international actors exercise extreme caution and conduct thorough due diligence to ensure their activities align with the directives of the legitimate Sudanese government, thereby mitigating the risk of administrative penalties or legal repercussions.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising international organizations, NGOs, or foreign entities operating in Sudan must be aware of the Sudanese government's potential legal and administrative actions, including permit revocations, against those engaging with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This development signals increased scrutiny and risk for any dealings perceived as legitimizing a 'parallel government' or violating Sudanese sovereignty, necessitating careful due diligence and adherence to official government directives.

Source: Original reporting via Sudan Tribune