Sudan Events – Exclusive
The Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council has issued a decision appointing Dr. Amjad Farid Al-Tayeb as Adviser to the Chairman on political affairs and foreign relations, with the rank of a federal minister. The move reflects a broader effort to strengthen the advisory apparatus with political vision and specialized expertise at a critical juncture in the country’s history.
Dr. Amjad Farid Al-Tayeb is regarded as one of the most prominent civilian figures in Sudan’s political landscape. His name has long been associated with the pro-democracy movement and the generation of resistance that led political and civic action against the regime of former President Omar al-Bashir. He was an early contributor to the founding of the “Girifna” movement in 2009 and later a co-founder and spokesperson for the “Change Now” movement—both key platforms that helped mobilize public support leading up to the December Revolution.
He also played a pivotal role in launching the “Nafeer” initiative in 2013, which became a leading model for organized volunteer work, strengthening the capacity of civic activism and laying the groundwork for subsequent waves of protest.
At the governmental level, Farid served as Assistant Chief of Staff in the Office of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok between 2019 and 2021, where he was involved in civil service reform and coordination with international partners, in addition to contributing to the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He later worked as a political adviser to the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), while continuing his research work through the “Fikra” Center for Studies.
According to observers, the appointment comes as part of efforts by the state leadership to broaden strategic consultation and enhance international engagement amid mounting security, political, and economic challenges. It also reflects the need to articulate a more coherent external narrative in the face of pressures and dynamics associated with the ongoing conflict.
Analysts believe assigning this role to a figure with a strong intellectual and analytical background, as well as extensive international connections, could support decision-making processes, advance national dialogue, recalibrate Sudan’s external relations, and offer more nuanced approaches to peacebuilding and institutional reform.
The decision also carries political significance beyond its executive dimension, signaling the elevation of an independent and credible civilian voice to an influential position within decision-making circles—potentially reinforcing the role of civilian expertise in managing the transitional period. Nevertheless, the actual impact of the appointment will depend on the effectiveness of the advisory role within governance structures, at a time when attention is increasingly focused on reshaping decision-making centers in line with the demands of stability and the desired transition.
