Former Sudanese Prime Minister Critiques Military Gains, Calls for Ceasefire
Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok criticized recent military advances as “fake,” asserting they won’t end the civil war. He emphasized that unless underlying issues of inequality and governance are addressed, peace cannot be achieved. With around 13 million displaced and ongoing violence, Hamdok’s stance is clear: a military solution is not viable.
In a striking statement on Wednesday, former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok condemned recent military developments as inadequate, asserting that they would not bring an end to the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Speaking to The Associated Press during the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s governance conference in Marrakech, Morocco, he referred to military efforts aimed at establishing a new government as “fake,” emphasizing that the conflict has persisted despite the army’s recent recapture of Khartoum and surrounding areas.
Hamdok, who served as Sudan’s initial civilian prime minister in 2019, cited the futility of military victories in resolving the crisis that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. “Whether Khartoum is captured or not captured, it’s irrelevant,” he remarked. He firmly stated, “There is no military solution to this. No side will be able to have outright victory.”
After his resignation in January 2022 following a coup and subsequent temporary reinstatement, Sudan has spiraled further into chaos. The conflict, which involves fierce fighting between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is now among the most severe humanitarian crises globally, with estimates suggesting that at least 24,000 individuals have died since the outbreak of hostilities.
The military’s campaign has seen the RSF, previously linked to the infamous Janjaweed militia from Darfur, accused of committing severe war crimes, including genocide. Meanwhile, accusations against the army detail the use of chemical weapons against civilians. This devastating conflict has led to around 13 million people being uprooted, while famine conditions and cholera outbreaks loom ominously over the population.
In apparent defiance of prevailing military narratives, Hamdok stated that the recent military victories are merely superficial and don’t signal genuine progress toward peace. “The idea that reconstruction can begin in Khartoum while fighting rages elsewhere is absolutely ridiculous,” he cautioned.
Last month, following military successes, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan appointed a new prime minister, Kamil al-Taib Idris, to oversee the formation of a new government, yet fighting has persisted unabated, particularly as the RSF regrouped in Darfur and expanded its reach into Kordofan.
Echoing concerns about the conflict’s historical context, Hamdok stressed the necessity of a credible ceasefire and a democratic transition. He believes the road to lasting peace must address structural inequalities, such as discrepancies in development among various ethnic and identity groups as well as religious influences over governance. “Trusting the soldiers to bring democracy is a false pretense,” he stated.
The pro-democracy coalition Hamdok leads from exile has actively condemned atrocities from both the army and RSF. Although he skirted around condemning the United Arab Emirates for its alleged support of RSF, he rejected questions pointing toward the Gulf state’s involvement in supplying arms, suggesting that this focus is a distraction from the broader issue of arms being supplied to both sides in the conflict.
In remarks aimed at halting foreign weapons supplies, he said, “What we would like to see is anybody who is supplying arms to any side to stop.”
In summary, former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has asserted that military advances in Sudan, particularly recapturing Khartoum, will not conclude the ongoing civil war. His critique highlights a deep-rooted crisis exacerbated by foreign intervention and internal divisions. Hamdok stresses the need for a comprehensive ceasefire and a focus on addressing systemic inequalities to pave the way for genuine democratic governance in Sudan. His remarks serve as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in resolving the two-year conflict that continues to plague the nation.
Original Source: apnews.com
