Sudan’s Umma Party retains leader Nasir amid rift over RSF charter
April 4, 2025 (ABU DHABI) – The Coordination Council of Sudan’s National Umma Party (NUP) decided on Thursday that acting leader Fadlallah Burma Nasir will remain party head, but must limit his activity to signing a foundational charter and make no future commitments to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Nasir’s signing of the charter, perceived by some as facilitating an RSF-led administration in areas under its control, had previously ignited significant internal party disputes.
The decision followed a virtual meeting of the Coordination Council on Thursday, chaired by Nasir and attended by 16 of its 24 members, Sudan Tribune has learned.
Sources told Sudan Tribune that attendees at the meeting “agreed to overcome the organizational crisis affecting the party.”
The current tensions trace back partly to March 30, when Nasir restructured the party’s presidential body, dismissing three deputies and appointing new aides. This move escalated conflict after a rival faction within the presidential body appointed Mohammed Abdallah Al-Doma as party leader in opposition to Nasir.
Sources close to Nasir asserted that Thursday’s Coordination Council meeting implicitly annulled Nasir’s March 30 decisions regarding the presidential body, moving towards a settlement reportedly based on prior agreements reached in Abu Dhabi.
According to sources speaking to Sudan Tribune, Nasir and NUP Secretary-General Al-Wathiq Al-Birair met in Abu Dhabi in late March. They allegedly agreed that Nasir would remain leader if he only signed the charter linked to the potential RSF administration and made no further commitments to the paramilitary group.
However, the sources added that although Nasir consented during the Abu Dhabi meeting, he issued the controversial restructuring order hours later, reportedly under pressure from allies.
The Coordination Council also formed a committee during its Thursday meeting to evaluate the NUP’s recent political alliances, including the Smoud coalition led by former Prime Minister Hamdok, the same sources indicated.
Separately, a committee led by former Finance Minister Ibrahim Elbadawi is actively working to reconcile factions within the party.
The possibility of a party split emerged in February when the NUP’s presidential body attempted to withdraw confidence from Nasir over his signing of the charter. This faction appointed Al-Doma as a rival acting leader.
Presidential body disputes
Imam al-Hilu, head of the policy and peace affairs committee within the NUP’s political bureau, told Sudan Tribune that recent conflicting party statements resulted from sharp disagreements within the presidential body, especially involving the acting leader, his deputies, and other members.
Al-Hilu attributed the disputes to internal struggles over legitimacy and authority.
“It is known that the current leadership within the presidential body is temporary and does not hold office by original mandate,” he stated.
He noted that the mandate for the temporary leadership stipulated holding the party’s eighth General Conference within one year of their appointment, a deadline which relates to the leadership’s legitimacy.
Al-Hilu contended that the leadership disputes do not signify a fundamental party split but are conflicts over temporary powers. He expressed regret for the “confusion” generated by the contradictory public statements.