Sudan’s Umma Party suspends official over support for army

November 12, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s National Umma Party (NUP) suspended a senior official on Tuesday for allegedly violating its neutrality in the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Ismail Kater, assistant to the party president for constitutional and legal affairs, met with the deputy head of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council, Malik Agar, in Port Sudan on Oct. 10, according to a statement from the council.

At that meeting, Kater expressed the NUP’s support for the army and allied forces fighting the RSF, the council’s statement said.

The NUP is a major force in the “Progress” coalition of civilian groups calling for an end to the war and has refrained from taking sides.

“The (party) council discussed the repeated violations by … Kater of the party’s decisions … and his unilateral actions that violate the party’s constitution and political line,” the NUP said in a statement announcing his suspension.

The party said it was referring Kater to its Performance Control Committee for investigation.

Disagreements have simmered within the NUP this year, including over the legitimacy of decision-making and its stance on the “Progress” coalition.