Sudan’s ex-PM Hamdok labelled ‘traitor’ after calling for foreign intervention

The chaotic scenes of Sudan’s former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok visiting a think tank in London appeared to transform an intended peace mission into an attempt to hijack Sudan’s sovereignty. The angry crowds outside Chatham House in London shouted the words “cowards and traitors” as they regarded Hamdok and his group’s presence as an attempt to subvert the popular will of the Sudanese people.

At stake was a secret agreement fuelled by unconfirmed media reports and social media interviews suggesting that the former prime minister had made a covert agreement between his group and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. The alleged agreement went as far as to implicate Hamdok’s Taqaddam political group as acting as the political arm of the RSF militia who have aspirations to replace Sudan’s army. A charge that his group categorically denies.

Nevertheless, the angry mob also accused Taqaddam of trying to persuade the UK’s government policy makers to mobilise the international community and regional groups to send troops to intervene in Sudan’s conflict ahead of the UK government’s proposed chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council. Speaking at Chatham House, Hamdok said: “We have to be thinking about enforcing a no fly zone, having a safe zone, even to the point where we should boldly talk about putting boots on the ground to protect the civilians.”

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Hamdok highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, which has resulted in over 159,000 deaths and the displacement of more than 12 million people. He warned that “the country is facing a humanitarian catastrophe and that the collapse of the state could lead to further instability and violence.”

Later, one of the members of Taqaddam, Khalid Omer, appeared to assert that the Head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, was not the leader of a legitimate government. Omer preferred to refer to the power struggle between Al-Burhan and Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF leader, as a “dispute between two generals.” He went on further to liken the presence of the United Nation Interim Security Force (UNISFA) in Abyei, established 20 June 2011, as proof that Sudan could again admit another international peacekeeping force to prevent civilian attacks.

Commentators have pointed out that the presence of UNISFA was through an agreement signed between two de-facto governments (i.e. Sudan and South Sudan) and not between a government and a non-state actor in the form of a militia. Supporters of the government say the army is succeeding in reestablishing military control over the RSF. Reinforcements in the capital, Khartoum and Al Jazira state have been deployed to combat the militia who have been increasingly accused of committing acts of ethnic cleansing, sexual crimes and slaughtering innocent civilians.

Amongst the government’s major concerns is allowing parts of Sudan to be controlled by outside foreign forces. Such a move would not only threaten the country’s unity and sovereignty, but would also allow the RSF to reassemble and regroup. However, there are also concerns that a permanent force could lead to the break up of the country. Similar to the establishment of the United Nations Mission in Sudan in March 2005 which was instigated for a period of six months, but continued until 2011 and culminated in Sudan being split and South Sudan declaring its independence in July 2011.

Taqaddum was established in October 2023 holding a founding conference in Addis Ababa in late May 2024, bringing together nearly 600 participants from all 18 states in Sudan. Some political and military groups also participated as observers, including the SPLM-North led by Abdel Aziz Al Hilu (an armed movement that controls significant territory in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile). According to the Chatham House website, “The inclusion of the Popular Congress Party as an observer was also intended to signal that Islamists who support civilian rule can also join the anti-war camp.”

Read: The RSF blames Egypt and its own backers for withdrawing support from the Sudanese militia

The group has built alliances across the world but mainly in European capitals. Chatham House, headed by the former British Ambassador to Sudan Dame Rosalind Marsden, praised Taqaddum. She wrote: “The articulation of a vision for a peaceful and inclusive Sudan provides hope for its citizens and stands in stark opposition to the naked self-interest of the military actors currently overseeing the country’s fragmentation.”

Dame Marsden was once reported to have been “sent packing” when, during then-President of Sudan Omar Al-Bashir described her as inappropriately “issuing orders and instructions.” In an aggressive undiplomatic way she was asked to leave and barred from returning to Sudan. However, she returned after Al-Bashir was ousted. Marsden was a close adviser to PM Hamdok, responsible for training and helping the freedom and resistance movements in Sudan.

For some, the presence of a member of a Western government in a prominent role in the affairs of Sudan is unacceptable. Commentators say Hamdok has undoubtedly misjudged the mood. Not least because of the criticism of the army which, for some, is no longer viewed as an impediment to Sudan’s future prosperity. For many the phrase “One people, one army,” has spurned a view of optimism that the war could be over in less than two to three months.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.