Sudan’s Agar urges expansion of pro-army Democratic Block alliance

April 26, 2026 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s Sovereign Council Deputy Chairman Malik Agar on Sunday called on the government and its supporters to expand their political base by recruiting more parties and groups into the Democratic Block alliance.

Agar, who also heads the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), addressed the third organizational meeting of the Forces for Freedom and Change – Democratic Block in Port Sudan. He clarified that he was speaking in his capacity as a government official.

The deputy leader urged the government and pro-army forces to consolidate power, stating that the goal is to increase the number of entities within the Democratic Block to represent half or two-thirds of all political forces in Sudan.

He explained that such an expansion aims to demonstrate to external groups that the current political path is the correct one for the country’s future.

Agar noted that the Democratic Block currently comprises 19 of Sudan’s 117 parties and armed groups. He emphasized that while these bodies pursue various objectives, they share a common commitment to the unity of Sudan.

The Democratic Block comprises political factions and armed movements that support the army in its ongoing conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including the SPLM, the Sudan Liberation Movement, and the Justice and Equality Movement.

Agar expressed a commitment to achieving democracy but criticized efforts to impose Western models, such as those from Westminster or Washington, D.C., arguing they are unsuitable for the Sudanese context.

He highlighted the needs of millions of pastoralists who require veterinary medicine and of farmers who use traditional tools, asserting that democracy should be defined by improving the living standards of these populations.

The official accused some pro-democracy advocates of using slogans to achieve personal gain, claiming that many individuals only label the government as democratic once they are appointed to political positions.

Agar joined the Sovereign Council following the 2020 peace agreement between the former civilian government and rebel groups. He was promoted to deputy chairman after the current conflict broke out.

He also criticized the continued reliance on armed struggle, stating that weapons are not a tool for democracy. While acknowledging that peace agreements were signed to resolve national crises, he warned that the current proliferation of arms requires urgent review.