Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok has warned that the country risks returning to the “dark legacy of Islamist factions” unless it pursues a complete civilian transition, stressing that citizens deserve a state free from extremism.
In a post on X, Hamdok said, “Sudan cannot bear a return to the dark legacy of Islamist factions that controlled the state for decades and dragged our nation into endless conflict.” He added that ideological forces within the military are fueling today’s war, blocking peace, and resisting the efforts of the Quad group comprising the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the US aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution.
Hamdok called for an immediate unconditional ceasefire, insisting that Sudanese citizens deserve a democratic civilian state free from past destructive policies.
His statement follows SAF Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s rejection of the Quad’s mediation plan to resolve the ongoing crisis, which has lasted since the war erupted in April 2023.
Meanwhile, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced a unilateral three month humanitarian ceasefire on Monday, after Burhan refused the international proposal.
The warnings come amid escalating humanitarian concerns. Around 21 million Sudanese face severe food insecurity, more than 20 million need urgent medical aid amid cholera and dengue outbreaks, and 11.5 million are internally displaced, with over 4 million fleeing to neighbouring countries. The total population in urgent need of international support now reaches approximately 21 million.
