In a new analytical paper published early today on Al Jazeera Net, Sudanese researcher and thinker Al-Wathiq Kameir called for acknowledging the deep political divisions that continue to hinder the achievement of genuine national consensus in Sudan. He stressed that resolving the crisis requires not only ending the war but also dismantling the roots of political and social fragmentation.
The paper, titled “Sudan’s Future: From Wars of Visions to a Shared National Vision,” is described by Kameir as a form of “political reckoning” following the outbreak of war in April 2023. It draws on practical experience and extensive consultations with leaders from across the political and civilian spectrum.
Kameir argues that Sudan’s core problem has not been the absence of visions, but rather the existence of multiple, conflicting visions that have exhausted the state and weakened its institutions. From this perspective, he contends that the current “conflict of visions” must be replaced with an honest dialogue on fundamental issues.
Kameir identified five major issues that he believes represent the most significant obstacles to ending the war and building national consensus:
- The future of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
- The role of the Sudanese Armed Forces during the transitional period
- The leadership of the army and the dispute over whether it should remain or be changed
- The participation of Islamists in political life
- The role of regional and international actors in the conflict
Political forces remain divided on each of these issues, reflecting — according to Kameir — a fundamental disagreement over the nature of the state and sources of legitimacy. He noted that competing war narratives have intensified polarization and complicated efforts toward a political solution.
Kameir also criticized the failure of multiple political and civilian initiatives, including the Cairo Conference 2024, where participants failed even to issue a joint statement. He argued that documents alone are insufficient, and that what is required is a direct and candid confrontation of differences.
Kameir concluded his paper by stressing that Sudan now stands at a critical historical crossroads — between continuing wars of competing visions or entering a path toward national consensus, which he said cannot be achieved without political courage and mutual recognition of differences to redefine the foundations of national political action.
