Mohamed Hamdan”Hemedti” Dagalo was sworn in on Saturday as chairman of Sudan’s new Presidential Council in Nyala, South Darfur, placing his hand on a centuries-old Qur’an revered for its sacred and symbolic weight.
The oath, witnessed by Chief Justice Ramadan Ibrahim Shemila, was also taken by Dagalo’s deputy Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and other members of the 15-seat council, including eight regional governors. Supporters described the use of the manuscript as a powerful reminder that the new government’s commitments are bound not only by politics, but by spiritual accountability.
In his address after the ceremony, Dagalo spoke of the hardships facing Sudanese citizens and pledged that his government would work to ease their suffering by cooperating with UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to deliver aid. He promised protection for convoys and aid workers, alongside guarantees of rights, freedoms, and a civilian democratic order free from military interference.
Dagalo also renewed his call for a transparent international investigation into the war that broke out in April 2023, which has displaced millions. He said accountability was essential to achieving peace and ensuring that Sudan’s future is not held hostage by the legacy of conflict.
The historic gazelle skin Qur’an
The Qur’an used in the oath is regarded as one of the rarest manuscripts in Darfur. Written by hand on gazelle skin parchment before the widespread use of paper, it is part of a tradition stretching back to the earliest centuries of Islam.
According to local custom, such manuscripts can only be copied from memory by a scribe whose entire family are Qur’an memorizers. The process requires fasting and takes several years, with each page carefully reviewed for accuracy. Passed down through generations of scholars, these Qur’ans are treasured as symbols of truth and divine witness.
In Darfur, the manuscript has carried an added cultural role, often used in oaths during official ceremonies or legal disputes. Its presence is said to ensure honesty, reflecting the deep belief that it embodies both faith and justice.
By choosing this historic Qur’an for his inauguration, Dagalo underscored the solemnity of his pledge and cast his government as one founded on transparency, accountability, and respect for sacred tradition.
