Sudan’s Muslim Brotherhood exploited racism for power: Report

The Muslim Brotherhood (Islamic Movement) in Sudan has been accused of advancing a divisive political agenda under the guise of religion, ignoring the country’s rich cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity to consolidate power, according to an analysis by Al-Arab newspaper.

Since its inception, the Brotherhood—referred to locally as the Islamic Movement—has allegedly used Sudan’s diversity not as a unifying strength, but as a tool to fuel divisions and deepen societal fractures. Critics argue that this strategy has had devastating consequences, particularly in marginalized regions like Darfur.

Targeting Darfur’s Unique Identity

Darfur, known for its distinct social and religious makeup, became a focal point of the Brotherhood’s political ambitions. The movement reportedly manipulated local religious practices to extend its influence but faced significant resistance from the region. This rejection gave rise to a series of strong opposition movements.

The grievances in Darfur go beyond political opposition, reflecting the systemic marginalization imposed by the Brotherhood. The movement allegedly sidelined Darfuris from key positions and deprived the region of development projects.

A stark example of this was the controversial 2005 development strategy by Abdel Rahim Hamdi, which excluded Darfur from national growth plans, labeling it as outside Sudan’s “historic” core.

Racism Across Sudan’s Marginalized Regions

This exclusionary approach was not confined to Darfur. Marginalized regions across Sudan reportedly faced similar racial and ethnic discrimination, leading to heightened ethnic and tribal tensions. The Brotherhood is accused of stoking these conflicts through inflammatory rhetoric and exclusionary policies, further alienating large segments of the Sudanese population.

The Al-Arab report links the ongoing ethnic and tribal violence to the Brotherhood’s divisive strategies, which aim to fracture Sudanese society along racial and religious lines to maintain political dominance. Such policies, critics warn, jeopardize Sudan’s national unity and risk pushing the country toward total disintegration.

Calls for a Unified National Response

Experts argue that confronting the Brotherhood’s legacy of racism requires a unified national effort to restore trust among Sudanese communities. A new political and social framework is needed—one that embraces equality, promotes inclusive citizenship, and values the contributions of all regions, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

Sudan’s history demonstrates that diversity is a source of strength, not weakness. Moving forward, the country must adopt a narrative that celebrates its pluralism and rejects the divisive tactics that have long undermined its cohesion.

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