Arman urges Burhan to give priority to ending war in Sudan
August 24, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Yasir Arman, a prominent figure of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), has urged the head of the Sovereign Council and Commander in Chief of the Sudanese army to prioritize ending the war and reinvigorating efforts aimed at achieving a democratic transition in Sudan, rather than prolonging the conflict.
During an interview with Al-Jazeera on Saturday, Arman noted that the departure of Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan from Khartoum after nearly five months of war in itself is not an event. He stressed that what is important is the course of action he would take in the days ahead.
He also voiced his hope that al-Burhan would take steps to stop the war and extract lessons from both the October 25, 2021 coup and the events of April 15, 2023. He underscored that further intensifying the conflict or seeking vengeance for past actions would be counterproductive for the nation and its military establishment.
The political leader dismissed claims that al-Burhan’s departure was a result of a political deal with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), influenced by foreign powers. He said that such narratives aim to undermine the value of the Sudanese army, which has long combat experience and skills despite the challenges of corruption and weakness dating back to the Bashir era.
“Therefore, his exit was not an event, and I believe that the armed forces were the ones who took him out,” he stressed.
Various commentators, particularly those closely associated with paramilitary forces, have suggested the existence of an agreement involving the United States and Saudi Arabia with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti.” This alleged agreement facilitated al-Burhan’s departure from the besieged army command, potentially paving the way for discussions aimed at ending the war in Jeddah, they claimed.
Arman also voiced his refusal to endorse the formation of a government in Port Sudan at the current juncture, deeming it a possible reward for the “remnants” of the former for their role in igniting the war and causing destruction in the country.
He made an appeal to the Sudanese political groups to make concessions and accept initiatives proposed by civil society groups, including mutual concessions with the communist party to forge a united democratic bloc.
“The forces of freedom and change – the Central Council, do not represent all the people, and those who wish for democratic civil rule must come together. There is no place for those who desire totalitarianism and dictatorship. This is the true criterion,” Arman stressed.
He emphasized that the FFC do not solely represent the forces of revolution and change, or those seeking an end to the war. “They must engage on an equal footing with all forces of revolution and change in order to bring the conflict to a close”.
Arman had revealed an attempt by the African Union Commission to involve Sudanese Islamists in a conference on Sudan’s future governance, slated for August. Also, he rejected the initiative considering it as an attempt to legitimize the dissolved National Congress Party, citing its responsibility for decades of crimes and corruption.
Responding to queries about the potential appointment of Gibril Ibrahim, leader of the Justice and Equality Movement, as prime minister, Arman expressed concerns due to Ibrahim’s support for the ongoing war. He further cautioned against prematurely forming a government, stating that without a halt in hostilities and a unified vision, the transition to democratic governance would remain elusive.
“In the absence of a ceasefire and a shared vision, the culmination of the war and the shift towards democratic change will remain elusive, irrespective of the prime minister’s identity, whether it be Gibril or any other candidate, even if he emerges from the ranks of the Forces for Freedom and Change,” Arman concluded.
(ST)