A group of Sudanese lawyers announced the formation of the “Sudanese Lawyers Alliance” during a press conference in Kampala, Uganda, Sunday. The alliance aligns with the Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis), which was launched last November in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of a broader civil initiative.
Lawyer Hatem Elias said the coalition seeks to form an independent body representing the Sudanese Bar Association, free from political control. Elias described the current association as “controlled by the former regime after its coup,” signalling a push to reclaim professional autonomy.
He emphasized the alliance will not serve Burhan, stating, “We are a united front against it and will defend freedoms uncompromisingly.” Elias called on Sudanese lawyers and professionals across sectors to form independent unions supporting civil society and safeguarding rights.
Coalition member Saad Manqala said they are establishing a lawyers’ union under new laws designed to ensure integrity and impartiality. Manqala stressed the need to reform procedures for forming professional unions in Sudan, highlighting transparency and fairness as central priorities.
Leader Ahmed Suwar Ali said the coalition supports efforts to delegitimize the Port Sudan junta, calling for international recognition of the “founding” government. Suwar argued the new government has population and territorial legitimacy, urging global actors to consider the erosion of existing institutions’ authority.
The alliance represents a first step toward re-establishing independent professional bodies in Sudan, challenging both political interference and systemic corruption. It also signals a broader movement of civil society actors seeking to reclaim legal and institutional frameworks in Sudan’s unsettled political landscape.
