Sudanese military continue attempts to forge new coalitions : FFC

August 7, 2022 (KHARTOUM)  – The Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) described an initiative launched by a Sufi religious leader, Tayeb al-Jed, as a new attempt by army leaders to establish a political coalition that would a new transitional government.

Last month, the religious dignitary put forward an initiative aimed at holding an inclusive conference to agree on a political program for the rest of the transitional period to be enforced by a government of technocrats who would also prepare for general elections.

However, al-Jed did not invite the FFC groups to participate in this conference, especially since he was known for calling to dissolve the Hamdok government and opposed the efforts of the transitional government to review the religious education curriculum.

“The Initiative of the People of Sudan is “one of the attempts of military rule to create a new political and social majority,” FFC Spokesman, Shihab al-Tayeb, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

Al-Tayeb ruled out that the initiative would succeed to form achieving its goal, adding it would not enable the military to get the needed international legitimacy for their coup.

He stressed the need to confront this initiative through an agreement between the forces of the revolution on a new constitutional declaration.

This deal should provide that the transitional authority should not include sharing power with the military component and defines the role of the military institution in the state, he added.

The coalition says that the army’s role should be limited to the security and defence affairs in a council to be chaired by a civilian leader.

In turn, a leading member of the National Umma Party, Erwa al-Sadiq, told Sudan Tribune that the initiative is an attempt by the military component to involve a religious leader in a frenetic political battle.

Al-Sadiq said the initiative was wrong and biased towards the military government, pointing out that its initiator “was one of the supporters of the palace sit-in that paved the way for the coup.”

Before the October 25 coup, the National Consensus group including former rebel groups staged a sit-in outside the Republican Palace in Khartoum calling for the dissolution of the civilian government.

In addition, he criticized the initiative saying it contribute to reinforcing the difference between the Islamic and secular currants in Sudan and the emergence of opportunistic political and social entities.

“As long as the initiative did not invite the Forces for Freedom and Change and chose to work within the framework of the supporters of the coup and the ousted regime, it will be based on a falsehood that does not achieve good for the country or it people,” he said.

In addition to the political forces and armed groups signatory of the Juba peace agreement, the initiative includes parties allied to the former regime, Sufi orders, Native Administration and some civil society organizations.

The military leaders say they would relinquish power to a civilian government if the political groups agree on a government.

However, they demand to give them some sovereign powers to a higher military council they plan to form.

The FFC reject this political project saying no more power sharing with the army.

(ST)