A push is underway within Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the de facto government in Port Sudan to dismiss the country’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Abdelrahman Ahmed Khalid Sharafi.
Media reports suggest that the dismissal was demanded by Ali Karti, an influential figure within the Islamic Movement, which exerts considerable influence over the diplomatic apparatus of the ministry.
Karti believes that Ambassador Sharafi is aligned with the positions of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Tagadum) a group that opposes the ongoing war in Sudan.
Leaked statements attributed to Sharafi, in which he reportedly criticized the civil war as futile, have further escalated calls for his removal.
Despite the mounting pressure from Islamists, Ambassador Sharafi enjoys significant support from the Sudanese community in the UAE, who credit him with successfully strengthening relations between the two nations.
However, this backing has not shielded him from being targeted by controversial and criminal figures, which now threaten his position.
The recent comments from Karti and his network regarding SAF chief General al-Burhan’s character as a coward likely stem from ongoing tensions and rivalries within the Sudanese military landscape.
Karti has been critical of al-Burhan, especially concerning his leadership and military strategies. The remarks are seen as part of a broader strategy to undermine al-Burhan’s authority and rally support for his extremist Islamic Movement faction within the conflict.
Who is Ali Karti?
Ali Karti, as a high-ranking official during Omar al-Bashir’s regime, played a pivotal role in Sudan’s political landscape, both domestically and internationally.
His political career is closely linked to Sudan’s Islamist movement, particularly the National Congress Party (NCP), which was deeply involved in shaping policies during Sudan’s civil wars and conflict-ridden period.
Karti is a shadowy figure who is accused of indirect involvement in war crimes.
The Sudanese military and allied militias, responsible for mass atrocities during the conflict, operated under policies closely linked to Karti’s role in government, extending his ties to what has been described as genocidal violence in the region.
In addition to the war crime allegations, Karti faces scrutiny over financial corruption scandals. As a senior official tasked with managing Sudan’s foreign relations, he allegedly profited from lucrative oil deals and other sectors, enriching himself while diverting state resources for personal gain.
His connections to illicit financial networks and abuse of power reflect a broader culture of corruption within the Bashir regime, where the welfare of the Sudanese people was often sidelined.
Karti’s tenure as foreign minister from 2010 to 2015 further implicated him in shielding the al-Bashir government from international scrutiny. He vigorously defended dictator Omar al-Bashir against prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC), as he sought to mitigate external pressure on the regime.
Moreover, Karti is a significant player in the Islamic Movement that supported al-Bashir’s government, contributing to the suppression of political dissent.
Under his influence, security forces, including the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), were empowered to detain and silence critics of the regime, employing a combination of legal measures and violent repression.
As these allegations unfold, they bring to light the complex web of power, corruption, and human rights abuses that characterized Karti’s political career and the broader landscape of Sudan’s governance.
