A growing political rift has emerged in eastern Sudan after Hadendowa tribal leader Muhammad al-Amin Turk withdrew confidence from Kassala Governor al-Sadiq Azraq, exposing divisions within factions that both support General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s army.
Turk announced a boycott of the Kassala state government and declared the town of Aroma an alternative administrative centre, accusing the governor of selling land to foreign investors and failing to pay teachers’ entitlements.
He said the Hadendowa administration is seeking administrative separation for its localities and pledged to finance teachers’ salaries and essential public services through local revenues and the Gash and Setit agricultural projects.
Turk also said tribal leaders would discuss independently managing education and healthcare in northern areas, arguing the region has the resources to function separately from Kassala.
During a public gathering, Turk criticised alleged arrest orders issued against community leaders, claiming they came from a former dismissed officer without legal authority and were intended to target tribal figures.
He defended community leader Ohaj Hussein against accusations he described as politically motivated and called for equal application of justice.
