Former Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok Says Military Gains Will Not…

Sudan’s ex-prime minister Abdalla Hamdok criticizes recent military efforts to form a new government as ineffective, stating they will not resolve the ongoing civil war. He asserts that true democracy and peace cannot be achieved without addressing deep-rooted inequalities. Hamdok also highlights the role of foreign powers in prolonging the conflict while emphasizing the need for a credible ceasefire and democratic transition.

Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok recently expressed skepticism regarding the military’s claim of progress in the ongoing civil war. Speaking to The Associated Press at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s governance conference in Morocco, he labeled attempts to form a new government as merely “fake.” He pointed out that despite recent military successes, including the recapture of Khartoum, the two-year war is far from over.

Hamdok emphasized that no military victory, whether in Khartoum or elsewhere, could resolve the conflict that has already displaced millions and caused the deaths of tens of thousands. He remarked, “Whether Khartoum is captured or not captured, it’s irrelevant.” According to him, a military solution is unattainable, leaving the situation in Sudan precarious.

The former prime minister, who became Sudan’s first civilian leader in 2019 after decades of military governance, stepped down in January 2022 after being briefly reinstated following a coup. His resignation came amid increasing turmoil as fighting erupted in the country in the subsequent year, leading to a humanitarian crisis of dire proportions.

Conflict between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has decimated the population; an estimated 24,000 individuals are reported dead, with the possibility that the figure is higher. Both factions now face allegations of war crimes, including accusations against the RSF for committing genocide. Meanwhile, the army has been accused of using chemical weapons against civilians.

Despite claims of military success, the conflict continues unabated. Since March, the military has regained control of Khartoum, while RSF has regrouped in Darfur and made additional territorial gains in Kordofan. Hamdok critiqued the army’s advances, insisting that claims of needing reconstruction while fighting persists are “absolutely ridiculous.” He stated, “Any attempt at creating a government in Sudan today is fake. It is irrelevant.”

At 69, Hamdok now leads a civilian coalition from exile and believes that peace requires tackling the fundamental inequalities and diverse identity issues within Sudan. He asserts that true democracy cannot emerge from the military’s involvement, declaring that “Trusting the soldiers to bring democracy is a false pretense.”

Moreover, he highlighted the role of foreign intervention in exacerbating the conflict, where allegations of external powers supplying arms to both sides are rampant. Though he addressed the complexities surrounding foreign arms supplies, he avoided specifically targeting the UAE, despite scrutiny from the international community. He called for all arms supplies to cease, stating, “What we would like to see is anybody who is supplying arms to any side to stop.”

In summary, former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok argues that military advances in Sudan do not pave the way for peace or proper governance. He emphasizes the necessity of addressing core issues to secure lasting stability in the country, denouncing the ongoing violence and foreign intervention. His comments reflect a pressing need for genuine democratic processes in a nation ravaged by conflict and humanitarian crises.

Original Source: apnews.com