Sudan is More Active in Building Its Post-War Future
Yousef Hamad
For two consecutive days, the Sudanese civilian political forces continued their deliberations in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to form the largest civilian political coalition to stop the countrys deterioration resulting from the October 25, 2021, coup, including stopping the power-grab war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, which erupted last April.
The (Civilian Front for Stopping the War and Restoring Democracy), which is to be announced, is the latest political coalition that includes parties, unions, resistance committees, and armed struggle movements. It is supported externally by regional and international political organizations, such as the African Union and its Peace and Security Commission.
Late last night, Tuesday, the formation of the foundational structure was announced, consisting of a preparatory leadership body and a coordinating executive office "with the aim of achieving the fronts goals," including preparing for a general conference of the front to be held within three weeks.
It was noteworthy that the Prime Minister, Dr. Abdullah Hamdok, who was overthrown by the army on October 25, 2012, and had been silent about public political participation since that date, participated in the discussions of the fronts work. The announcement of the formation of the fronts activity also coincides with preparations to resume negotiations between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after mutual provocations from both sides led to their suspension for months.
The negotiations between the army and the Rapid Support Forces are expected to begin on Thursday, aiming to achieve a permanent cessation of military operations in the country and create safe paths for delivering humanitarian aid to millions affected by the fighting, paving the way for political work to mitigate the effects of the war.
So far, this nascent coalition can be seen as the closest to playing a political role in shaping Sudans new post-war reality. However, it is not too early to caution against its birth with the seed of political disagreement that preceded and accompanied the groundwork for the (Framework Agreement, December 5, 2022). The Sudanese Communist Party, the Socialist Baath Party, and other forces represented in the advocates of (radical change), as well as some armed struggle movements such as the movements of Abdelaziz Al-Hilu and Abdelwahid Mohamed Nour, are absent from its consultations so far. This suggests that the broad civil front may be a slightly magnified image of the mood and imagination of the latest version of (Forces of Freedom and Change).
But the new coalition said that the invitation will continue for all political and civil forces and resistance committees that did not participate in the preparatory meeting to join the front. It said it is "ready for its role in supporting civil work and achieving public interests" and is confident that "the structuring of the new civil front will be able to efficiently deal with the increasing challenges facing the community and contribute to enhancing democracy and human rights." It is expected to be supported by "influential and effective personalities who have the ability to communicate effectively with all Sudanese warring and civilian parties and the armed forces, as well as the regional and international environment."
