The New Sudan .. A Vision for Change and the Challenges of Political and Structural Conflict

05:25 PM January, 06 2025

Sudanese Online
محمد عبدالله ابراهيم-الخرطوم-السودان
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The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by its founder Dr. John Garang de Mabior, introduced the “New Sudan” project in May 1983. This political, intellectual, and philosophical program aimed to bring about a radical transformation in the structure of the Sudanese state. It emerged in a social, political, and cultural context that rejected any ideas or visions originating outside the traditional elite circles that had dominated the center of power since Sudan’s independence. This domination was characterized by the control of religious, ideological, and ethnic forces over all aspects of state institutions, alongside military regimes that collaborated with civilian elites to seize power through coups. This resulted in the establishment of authoritarian and dictatorial systems that oppressed the Sudanese people for decades.

The successive regimes that took control of power in Khartoum failed to address the deepening Sudanese crisis in a meaningful and objective way; rather, they intentionally neglected the root causes of the crisis to maintain their absolute control over the country’s resources and the state’s infrastructure. Additionally, political forces and armed resistance movements suffered from deep internal divisions that weakened their struggle. The central authority in Khartoum exacerbated these challenges through arbitrary policies that promoted fragmentation and disunity, while favoring military solutions over peaceful negotiations. This included controlling key state institutions—military, financial, and media—and using them to suppress and discredit these movements through political deceit and the spread of misinformation.

Furthermore, most armed movements opposing the central authority lacked genuine intellectual and political visions. Their demands were often limited to addressing issues of marginalization and exclusion. Some movements, however, exploited these grievances for personal gain, seeking financial benefits or temporary political representation within Khartoum’s power structures. The central authority consistently adopted a strategy of signing agreements that failed to bring about substantial changes in governance or power structures. Exceptions include the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, which led to constitutional amendments and the recognition of civil freedoms, as well as significant gains for Southern Sudan. However, the reluctance and obstinacy of the National Congress Party hindered the full implementation of the agreement, ultimately prompting Southern Sudan to opt for secession in 2011.

Dr. John Garang’s “New Sudan” project proposed a vision deeply rooted in a comprehensive understanding of Sudan’s cultural, social, and political reality. It called for the establishment of a unified, democratic, secular state based on voluntary unity, justice, and inclusivity, free from cultural, political, or developmental marginalization. The project reopened discussions on critical issues such as identity, the relationship between religion and state, and the structure of governance, emphasizing the need to shift the focus from “who rules Sudan” to “how Sudan should be governed.”

Since its inception, the SPLM has faced significant internal and external challenges, including deep divisions and conflicts that have hindered its progress. These struggles centered around differences in objectives and visions among its leadership. Some groups within the movement pursued goals that were not aligned with the SPLM’s original vision, seeking narrow, self-serving interests, such as acquiring arms for protecting local resources or advocating for the secession of regions like Southern Sudan. In 1991, these tensions escalated into a split within the movement, resulting in two factions: one led by Dr. John Garang (Torit), and another by Riek Machar and Lam Akol (Naser). This division took on increasingly ethnic dimensions, culminating in the assassination of several founding leaders, which threatened to dismantle the movement entirely. However, Dr. Garang’s leadership, characterized by his nationalistic and inclusive approach, helped rebuild the SPLM and unite marginalized communities around the “New Sudan” vision, ensuring its survival and continuity despite ongoing challenges.

Continued..

Mohammed Abdullah Ibrahim.

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