Sudan Needs an Inspirational Politician
Waleed Al-Nour
Amid the ongoing war in Sudan, which has lasted for one hundred and forty days, civil political discourse has receded while the sound of guns and the roar of airplanes persist. Indirect negotiations between the military factions have remained stalled. Eventually, it is time for the political and civil voices to rise.
Before the war erupted, there was a political process led by the Quartet (United States, Saudi Arabia, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates) and the Troika (United Nations, IGAD, and the African Union), but it came to a halt with the outbreak of the conflict. Now, political and civil forces are required to step forward and present a political solution that takes into account the humanitarian situation faced by citizens – whether in refuge, displacement, or under fire. They should demand that both parties consider the civilians right to live in peace.
Additionally, the civil political discourse must change and break free from the hostile language that has become prevalent in the public sphere and on social media.
Media outlets should combat opportunists who increasingly change their stances as they change clothes, and expose them before the public eye.
The wise and national-minded individuals must step forward to salvage what remains of Sudan, preventing the spread of the war to other regions. Those who can only govern under the barrel of a gun should vanish, so they can no longer deceive the vulnerable in the name of religion and homeland.
This war has demonstrated that Sudan needs an inspirational and wise political leader who can reassure the fearful and curb the ambitions of those seeking power.
Leaders of political forces must emerge today, not tomorrow, and initiate a genuine national dialogue where they relinquish political rivalries that have not served their parties or their country. Their citizens are not members of their parties. The same applies to civil forces that have initiated numerous initiatives, each claiming to be professional and hiding behind the façade of non-partisanship, all to position themselves favorably.
