{"id":20116990,"date":"2025-05-22T19:27:37","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T17:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20116990"},"modified":"2025-05-22T19:28:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T17:28:25","slug":"aus-support-for-new-sudan-pm-sparks-uproar-among-political-and-armed-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/aus-support-for-new-sudan-pm-sparks-uproar-among-political-and-armed-groups","title":{"rendered":"AU\u2019s support for new Sudan PM sparks uproar among political and armed groups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The African Union\u2019s (AU) cautious endorsement of Dr Kamil El Tayeb Idris as Sudan\u2019s newly appointed civilian Prime Minister has been met with mixed reactions, drawing both applause and condemnation across Sudan\u2019s political and military spectrum.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement<\/a>\u00a0by AU Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf on Tuesday, he praised the appointment as a potential step toward restoring democratic governance. Hailing Dr Idris\u2019s selection as a \u201ca step toward inclusive governance,\u201d Youssouf reaffirmed the Union\u2019s commitment to Sudan\u2019s unity, sovereignty and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He endorsed the AU\u2019s \u201ccommitment to the unity, sovereignty and stability of Sudan, and to the pursuit of a durable political solution that secures peace, development and democratic governance for all Sudanese\u201d, adding that he hoped the move would help restore constitutional order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youssouf\u2019s remarks have triggered a firestorm of criticism. His previous comments during a meeting with Sovereignty Council member\u00a0Lt Gen Ibrahim Jaber<\/a>, where he lauded the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for regaining control in parts of the country, were seen by some as aligning too closely with the military, undermining the AU\u2019s official neutrality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the\u00a0controversial Sudan Founding Alliance<\/a>\u00a0swiftly condemned Youssouf\u2019s statements. The Alliance accused him of \u201cclear bias towards the army\u201d and violating the AU\u2019s principles, particularly in light of Sudan\u2019s suspension from the bloc following the 2021 military coup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Omar El Degeir<\/a>, chair of the Sudanese Congress Party, told\u00a0Al Jazeera<\/em>, the AU chairperson\u2019s recent statements were \u201ccontradictory to the Union\u2019s declared stance\u201d and warned that no military solution would resolve\u00a0Sudan\u2019s deepening crisis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polarised reactions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The appointment of Dr Idris, a former career diplomat and intellectual who ran as an independent candidate in Sudan\u2019s 2010 presidential election against longtime ruler Omar al Bashir<\/a>, has divided opinion across Sudan\u2019s political and military landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Justice and Equality Movement<\/a>\u00a0(JEM), headed by Jibril Ibrahim, welcomed the decision. Mutasim Saleh, JEM\u2019s Secretary of Political Affairs, said it marked the end of an \u201cexecutive vacuum\u201d and a critical step towards democratic civilian governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saleh noted that the prolonged lack of leadership had hampered humanitarian efforts and Sudan\u2019s international engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahmed Mohamed Haroun<\/a>, former head of the now-dissolved National Congress Party and wanted by the International Criminal Court, backed Idris, calling him an \u201cindependent national expert\u201d suited for Sudan\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noureddine Babiker<\/a>, spokesman for the Sudanese Congress Party, was more scathing. In an interview with Radio Dabanga, he called the appointment \u201ca desperate attempt to beautify the face of the Port Sudan government\u201d and warned that the decision could deepen internal divisions rather than bridge them. \u201cIt is a single-handed decision that lacks popular and institutional legitimacy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Babiker insisted that only negotiations to end the war, followed by a consensual political process, could put Sudan back on the democratic path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International reactions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United Nations and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) cautiously welcomed the appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, in a\u00a0statement<\/a>\u00a0delivered by his spokesperson St\u00e9phane Dujarric on Tuesday, said Idris\u2019s appointment should serve as \u201ca first step\u201d towards forming a broad-based technocratic government and forging peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement<\/a>\u00a0by IGAD\u2019s Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu on Wednesday, he called for all Sudanese parties to engage in national consultations to restore constitutional rule and establish peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He reiterated IGAD\u2019s call for an immediate ceasefire, saying that only a cessation of hostilities would \u201cending civilian suffering, enabling humanitarian access, and creating an environment conducive to dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AU criticism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the African Union\u2019s backing, the bloc came under criticism from El Basha Tebeig, adviser to RSF Commander Mohamed \u2018Hemedti\u2019 Dagalo.\u00a0In a post on X<\/a>\u00a0(formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Tebeig accused the AU of using his position to favour the SAF. \u201cHe is working to steer the positions of African countries in favour of one of the warring parties, to whom he owes loyalty and support,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some voices went further. Saleh Mahmoud of the Sudanese Communist Party denounced the AU\u2019s recognition of Idris as a breach of its charter, insisting that the appointment came from a \u201ccoup government with no popular mandate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Siddig Tawir, leading member of the Socialist Arab Ba’ath Party echoed that view, describing the appointment as \u201can unconstitutional move\u201d driven by \u201cexternal interests keen on sustaining dictatorship to exploit Sudan\u2019s resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AU endorsement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The de facto Sudanese government, however, responded positively. Minister of Culture and Information Khaled Aleiser<\/a>, expressed appreciation for Youssouf\u2019s statement and urged the AU to lift Sudan\u2019s suspension, hoping it would pave the way for the country\u2019s return to the continental stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Democratic Unionist Party called for swift formation of the new civilian government and backed Idris as a non-partisan figure capable of navigating Sudan through its transitional period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Africa), weighed in during\u00a0a session in the House of Lords<\/a>\u00a0on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He underscored the significance of the recent\u00a0Sudan conference<\/a>\u00a0hosted by the British government, noting the vital role of the AU as co-chair. He said the UK government was now focused on coordinating existing initiatives and increasing international engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe important thing is to avoid a multiplicity of actions and contacts,\u201d he said. \u201cYou could then end up with the warring parties choosing which one to go for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the UK would join the Sudan Consultative Group meeting in Brussels at the end of June, as part of efforts to forge a unified path towards peace.<\/p>\n