Sudan’s opposition divided on how to achieve change
The Sudanese opposition has talked extensively about how to end more than two decades of General Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir’s rule. However, they are split on how much force they should use to bring about political change.
Members of Sudan’s political opposition earlier this year signed the Democratic Alternative Document, a statement urging an overhaul of the one-party rule via peaceful means”. However, this has not silenced calls for more aggressive tactics.
Sudan’s main opposition includes the Sudan Revolutionary Front, a coalition of armed opposition that, in addition to SPLM-Northern Sector, includes a number of Darfur rebel groups.
Sadiq al-Mahdi, head of the Umma Party.
But despite this broad-base of support, the umbrella opposition group has been unable to offer an effective challenge to the ruling National Congress Party (NCP). Observers say it is unclear how the opposition plans to bring about political change, in particular, whether they advocate popular uprising or armed struggle.
On one hand, some opposition leaders argue that using violence will further divide the country. This opinion has been voiced by the National Umma Party, an islamic centrist party. Any attempt to overthrow the regime by force and through armed conflict will lead to more disruption and internationalization of the Sudan’s issues,” party leader al-Sadiq al-Mahdi says.
But others strongly disagree. The Revolutionary Front leadership, for example, seeks to overthrow the regime by all means, including military action. Preparations are in full swing,” says the Revolutionary Front’s Abdul Aziz Adam al-Hilo. We plan to launch an unprecedented joint military operation led by the Revolutionary Front. We are fully informed about the National Congress military, political and economic circumstances.”
Malik Agar, head of the SPLM-Northern Sector.
Similar provocative statements have stemmed from the Sudan’s People’s Movement-Northern Sector. Nothing is impossible for the SPLM,” Secretary General Yasir Arman says. It has continued its struggle despite the odds.”
He says that SPLM in the north seeks to liberate Sudan and establish good relationship with the Southern State for the benefit of the Sudanese people.
The SPLA-N takes on a more proactive stance than other Sudanese opposition groups, something which became obvious during the meeting convened by SPLM-N in the Nuba Mountains from August 21 to 28, under the slogan ‘Unite the Opposition Forces and Topple the Regime’.
Although many groups make loud and, sometimes, belligerent claims, at the end of the day their divergent approaches could stall the success of Sudan’s opposition.
