Dr. Alaa El-Din Naqd’s Intervention: A Political Analysis of War, Legitimacy, and Sudan’s Future

During an "X" Space discussion, Dr. Alaa El-Din Naqd, a key figure in Taqaddum Coordination (Tansiqiyat Taqaddum), provided a critical analysis of Sudan’s current situation. He addressed the division within the coordination, the complexities of the ongoing war, the role of the military, the international community’s stance, and the prospects for civilian governance.

Taqaddum’s Division and the Path Forward

Dr. Naqd expressed his sadness over the division within Taqaddum Coordination, emphasizing that these internal disagreements would not derail their core objectives. He reaffirmed that the coordination remains united in its call for ending the war and restoring the legitimacy of the December Revolution. Additionally, he dismissed the Port Sudan-based authority as illegitimate, arguing that its removal is essential to stopping the continuation of the conflict.

One of the primary points of contention within the coordination, he explained, is how to define the Sudanese military. While some view it as a national army, others, including Naqd, argue that it is completely controlled by the Islamist movement, which he considers a fundamental cause of Sudan’s crisis.

The Military and Islamists: An Inseparable Relationship

Dr. Naqd asserted that since the 1989 coup, the Sudanese military has functioned as the Islamist movement’s armed instrument. He described their relationship as a “Catholic marriage” with no possibility of separation. He further noted that the military has been Sudan’s largest political party since independence, playing a central role in the country’s chronic instability.

According to Naqd, the ongoing war is fundamentally political rather than military, serving as a vehicle for Islamists to reorganize and reclaim power. He also accused the international community of recognizing the role of former ruling party members in prolonging the war but failing to hold the military accountable for obstructing peace negotiations.

A Civilian Government as the Key to Ending the War

Naqd revealed that Taqaddum Coordination is preparing to announce a civilian government soon, emphasizing that this government will not be affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) but will serve as a mechanism to delegitimize the Port Sudan authority and end the war. He added that the civilian government would receive strong backing from international actors and humanitarian organizations and has developed an emergency six-month plan to stabilize the healthcare sector in Sudan.

He also stressed that the civilian government is committed to delivering humanitarian aid to all areas, including those under military control, while ensuring that aid distribution is not exploited or diverted for illicit sales.

Challenges and Future Projections

Dr. Naqd warned that the military and the Islamist movement might escalate hostilities against areas under civilian government control, highlighting that power in Sudan has become an explicitly political struggle.

On the international front, he noted that the military and the Port Sudan-based foreign ministry are actively seeking legitimacy at the upcoming African Union summit. However, he also pointed out that segments of the international community are increasingly questioning why the civilian government has not yet been formally declared, thereby intensifying pressure on pro-democracy forces to act.

A Message to Political Forces and the International Community

Dr. Naqd concluded by emphasizing that holding positions in the civilian government would be a “burning coal” that no one would compete for, as it represents a national duty rather than a political prize. Instead, he underscored the urgent need for decisive actions to thwart the Islamist movement’s plans to divide Sudan.

He called on both the international community and national forces to take firm stances against the Islamist military project, stressing that the civilian government is the primary solution to ending the war and restoring democratic governance in Sudan.