Sudanese Political Parties: Reality and Expectations
Report – Sudan Events
Maryam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Deputy Chair of the National Umma Party, stated that restoring respect for politics and national political parties is not a luxury but a prerequisite for Sudan’s survival. Her remarks sparked widespread debate in the media, as many believe that political parties are no longer a viable bet in the Sudanese street—at least the current ones. Some of these parties have chosen to side with militias and oppose the national line seeking liberation from militia atrocities, even going so far as to work toward forming a parallel government and attempting to fracture national unity.
Such positions have widened the gap between these parties and the Sudanese public, which has opted to oppose the Janjaweed mercenaries and liberate the country after witnessing those parties support its killers, defend them, and justify the massacres committed against Sudanese citizens in Khartoum, Al-Jazira, Kordofan, and elsewhere. These parties have even defended the UAE, which has supported—and continues to support—the militia with money and weapons. Many have expressed astonishment at this, as it is inconceivable that political parties, supposedly champions of freedoms and democracy, would ally themselves with a militia that committed unprecedented massacres in Sudan’s history, and then return to lead political life as if nothing had happened—as if they had not participated in the crime through political and media backing at times, and silence at others.
Is there now any acceptance of these parties that governed before the war and led the country to its current state of conflict and devastation? Did they ever have real weight on the street? And do they now possess any legitimacy to speak on behalf of the Sudanese people?
Hassan Masad Abu Al-Nour, a secondary school teacher, says that imagining political life without parties and political organizations is impossible. “We must have national political parties with foundations and programs to compete in free, monitored, and fair elections. This is the best option available, because military rule is no longer acceptable and will not lead to development—we have tried it, experienced it, and already know its outcomes,” he said. He added that the key is for parties to be institutionally built and to practice democracy internally before advocating it for society, and to be genuinely national in outlook, prioritizing the country and citizens’ interests. “The parties we have seen in recent years have driven most Sudanese away from politics due to their shameful positions. Most lack programs or coherent ideas capable of advancing the country,” he noted.
Moatasim Imad Al-Din, an electrical engineer, believes that the war has exposed everyone and revealed the true positions of parties that claimed they were capable of governing and leading Sudan toward progress. “For four years, conditions continued to deteriorate while they chased us with claims that the Islamists were obstructing the state and that the deep state controlled the executive apparatus. They dismissed thousands of workers and employees and practiced political vendettas against their opponents, then handed us over to war,” he said. During the war, he added, it became clear that most of them were effectively supporting the Rapid Support Forces militia, opposing Sudan’s stability and its national army. “These positions do not justify the survival of these parties. I do not believe that the parties currently within the ‘Sumoud’ alliance, Ta’sis, or others have acceptance on the street or can return to political activity and contest elections. I do not think a return is possible, nor do I believe that even the old parties that existed before the war can come back, hold political rallies, and address the Sudanese people from inside Sudan. Most people here see them as partners in the crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces against them. They will not accept these parties again. Sadly, this includes historical parties that ended in a miserable and cowardly manner, dancing on the remains of the Sudanese people.”
Professor Fadl Al-Mawla Al-Naeem, a political science scholar, argues that abolishing the role of parties is illogical unless Sudan intends to move toward authoritarian military rule. “If we aspire to democratic transformation and a democratic state, we need political parties,” he said, stressing that he does not necessarily mean the current parties but parties in general. He added that Sudan’s existing parties have placed themselves in a predicament, as most have unfortunately sided with the militia. “I do not know how or why civil parties that call for freedom and democracy would align themselves with a murderous militia that commits massacres, loots, steals, and rapes without hesitation. I do not know the political or moral justifications behind this stance, but I believe that in their current form they have exited the scene. Other parties will emerge and present themselves to the people, because Sudan today urgently needs national parties with visions, programs, and solutions to its crises.” He concluded by saying, “The current parties seek power even if their seats come on the back of a combat tank.”
