Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Khalil Charles
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Sudan’s military victory signals the imminent defeat of the RSF and its UAE backers
In comments posted on X, Sudanese commentator Taj Al-Sir Othman compared the liberation of Wad Madani to that of Aleppo in Syria: “If Aleppo was the beginning of the collapse of the Iranian dream in the Levant, then Wad Madani is the real beginning of the collapse of the...
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Sudan: RSF massacre in Al-Jazira state further threatens regional stability
The precise reasons for the flare up of violence in Sudan’s Al-Jazira State seems to have been driven by retribution and revenge. Days after the defection of an ex-Rapid Support Forces leader, 370 villagers mainly from the Shukria Tribe in the east of Al-Jazira were massacred. The horrific events...
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Can the UAE’s promise to stop sending Sudan’s RSF weapons be believed?
As Sudan’s army struggles militarily to bring the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under control, the United Arab Emirates’ statement to the US that “it is not now transferring any weapons to the RSF and will not do so going forward,” is a major development if the small Gulf...
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Sudan’s government and the opposition propose 2 different visions for a new Sudan
In anticipation of the end of the war in Sudan, political parties have been preparing to put forward a host of measures that will fill Sudan’s political void. At the head of the Sudanese groups is Taqaddum led by the former Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok who held a three-day...
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Exiled Islamic scholar ignites row over Sudan leader’s military achievements
In a volatile mix of Sudanese patriotism, religious orthodoxy and politics, the exiled former Head of Islamic Affairs at Khartoum University, Abdul Hai Yusuf, has caused widespread controversy after he attacked Sudan’s President, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. In a short clip circulating on social media, Yusuf appeared to criticise the...
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Sudan UN resolution vetoed by Russia as Khartoum takes financial aim at the RSF
It is fair to say that many Sudanese have totally lost confidence in their country’s government. Others, including some local politicians, would argue that there is no longer a viable or workable government in place. In particular, there are those who argue that the inability of the army to...
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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...
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Sudan massacre in Al Jazeera State by the RSF further threatens regional stability
The precise reasons for the flare-up of violence in Sudan’s Al Jazeera State seem to have been driven by retribution and revenge. Days after the defection of an ex-Rapid Support Forces leader, 370 villagers mainly from the Shukria tribe in the east of Al Jazeera were massacred. The horrific...
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The RSF blames Egypt and its own backers for withdrawing support from the Sudanese militia
A week after the commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, addressed his troops, the Sudanese and global analysis of his rambling comments has continued to dominate newspaper columns, news bulletins and social media. Dagalo’s comments took on great importance given the series of military...
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Gulf countries ‘wrongly’ condemn Sudan for attack on UAE envoy’s Khartoum home
A political row has erupted following the claim that the Emirati Ambassador Hamad Al-Janaibi’s residence in Khartoum was hit by an air strike carried out by the Sudanese army. In a statement, the Sudan government denied firing at or damaging the building. “The armed forces do not carry out...
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Sudan's army prepare to militarily end the civil war after major gains in Khartoum
For many Sudanese the military’s capture of three strategic bridges in the capital Khartoum has been warmly welcomed; while at the same time the recent operations have also been viewed as long overdue. Despite the advances, questions remain about the timing of the army’s decision to put pressure on...
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Sudan’s Islamic movement charts a new direction in search of legitimacy
Sudan’s influential Islamic movement has elected the former Foreign Minister, Ali Ahmed Karti, as its general secretary. Although the movement’s leader is currently operating secretly; observers, including its opponents, believe the group continues to financially and politically control Sudan’s government. The group is also thought to command a significant...
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UAE diplomatic mission leaves Sudan as pressure to declare RSF a terrorist organisation mounts
Over the past week, differences between the US Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, and members of the Forces of Freedom and Change, the Taqaddam political group led by the former Prime Minister, Abdullah Hamdok, began to appear. Hamdok was unwilling to abandon his view that the paramilitary Rapid...
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Sudan is continuing to boost its diplomatic and military campaigns
Attempts by the United Kingdom and others to push through a closed-door resolution to establish a UN force in Sudan failed this week when Khartoum, supported by Moscow and Beijing, rejected the draft resolution. The attempt to approve a relief humanitarian aid package for Sudan came after a UN-backed...
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Sudan’s game plan aims to avoid political and military pitfalls as ceasefire talks stall
As expected, the decision by the Sudanese government not to join the negotiations in Geneva was met with a chorus of criticism, not least from the political forces who accused it of forgoing an ideal opportunity to secure a lasting peace. Some of the strongest criticism came from the...
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Sudan army rejects Geneva peace talks, faces charge of being the ‘obstacle to peace’
The Sudan government’s choice not to send a delegation to today’s Geneva peace talks is either a bold courageous move or a short-sighted decision. It remains to be seen whether Sudan will withstand the international pressure that undoubtedly will accuse the army of being an “obstacle to peace”. Sudan’s refusal...
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Sudan’s warring parties must be willing to talk peace in Geneva
The urgent call for action to avert the starving to death of 2.5 million Sudanese in North Darfur is, ironically, being issued by the warring parties who are ostensibly responsible for the crisis. This week the UN warned of a stage three hunger crisis indicating that a quarter of...
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While civilians face starving to death, the end of the battle for Sudan is nowhere in sight
The assassination attempt of the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdul Fatah Al-Buhan, comes a day after he visited Egypt to drum up support for his war effort and signals that the divide between the two warring sides is widening. Fifteen months after the start of the brutal civil...
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Turkiye: intelligence chief’s visit to Sudan fuels speculation about secret deals
Two weeks after Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamal visited Sudan, the unannounced visit by his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, brought a flurry of speculation about secret deals and the purpose of yet another spy chief visiting Khartoum. Fidan’s visit was a rare occurrence for Khartoum given Turkiye’s “watch and...
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Egypt questionable motives for intervening in Sudan's politics
Egypt’s late appearance in Sudanese politics has baffled observers and activists alike. Sixteen months after the Sudan Army staged a widely condemned coup d’état on 25 October 2021, which removed the transitional Prime Minister, Abdullah Hamdok, from power, Sudan’s northern neighbour, Egypt has proposed an initiative to reach a...
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Sudan new political agreement remains out of step with Sudanese public opinion
Ten days after Sudan moved into its 67th year of independence, the divide between the Sudanese and the political groups who signed an agreement with the Sudanese government has deepened. As the country also enters its fifth year since the removal of the 30-year leadership of Omar Al-Bashir, the...
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Violence in Darfur, Blue Nile adds to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan
The outbreak of violence in the Blue Nile leading to the death of at least 60 people this weekend and the injury of over 100 was sadly not unexpected. Tension was building for many months and now represents a wave of violence sweeping across eastern, western and central parts...
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Sudan’s revolution falters as new Islamic movement takes hold, and Al-Burhan strengthens grip on power
The decision to dissolve the Sovereignty Council has angered the revolutionary forces but has come as no surprise to observers who have witnessed the slow decline of the institution and the steady re-appointment of members of Sudan’s Islamic movement to positions of power. Despite this, Abdul Fatah Al-Burhan has...
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Sudan is trying to revive the economy with help from Russia and the UAE
As the death toll continues to rise in the protests against Sudan’s military rulers, the local currency has plummeted after the Central Bank’s flotation exacerbated the country’s deepening economic and political crisis. At least 84 people have been killed since the protests began on 25 October last year, when...