Amid the ongoing crisis in Sudan that has plagued the country for years, Dr. Abdalla Hamdok has emerged as one of the most prominent voices advocating for peace and an end to war. His messages have been clear and straightforward: Sudan cannot rise from its successive crises unless war is halted, and comprehensive peace is achieved. Despite the strength of these messages and the popular support they garnered, Hamdok's calls have hit a solid wall of rejection and procrastination from the remnants of the Kizan, who see continued conflict as a means to safeguard their interests and strengthen their grip on power.
Hamdok and the Message of Peace
Since assuming leadership of the transitional government, Hamdok has championed slogans calling for comprehensive peace in Sudan. He firmly believed that war is not an option but a disaster that strikes at the foundation of development and hinders nation-building. Hamdok called on all parties to sit at the negotiation table, cease hostilities, and put the interests of the people above partisan or ideological considerations.
Hamdok understood that Sudan is rich in natural and human resources, capable of becoming a thriving nation. However, he insisted that these resources could not be utilized until the wars that have drained the country for decades are resolved. He viewed the key to progress as ending hostilities and uniting efforts to build a civilian state that respects the rights of all Sudanese people.
The Kizan’s Rejection of Peace
Conversely, Hamdok’s calls for peace fell on deaf ears among the remnants of the Kizan and their affiliates. These groups, nurtured by a culture of domination and exploitation of chaos, saw peace efforts as a direct threat to their interests.
The Kizan's rejection of peace was not mere indifference but a deliberate stance to keep the country hostage to war and conflicts. They continued to fuel disputes, support armed militias, and thwart every attempt to find a comprehensive political solution.
The Kizan understand that war provides them with opportunities to continue looting the country's resources and controlling its economic levers. They benefit from chaos to hide their corruption and evade accountability.
Moreover, peace would demand fair accountability for the crimes and violations they committed against the Sudanese people. Peace signifies the end of their political and economic dominance, something they are unwilling to accept.
The rejection of Hamdok's calls for peace harms only the Sudanese people, who bear the heavy price of war daily. Children die of hunger, infrastructure is destroyed, and families are displaced from their homes, while the Kizan remain beneficiaries of this destruction.
Hamdok’s calls represented the aspirations of the Sudanese for a better future. He presented a comprehensive plan to save Sudan from its crises, but the Kizan’s disregard for these calls obstructed peace efforts and prolonged the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Dr. Abdalla Hamdok’s calls for peace reflect the Sudanese people's desire to end wars and build a nation that embraces everyone. However, the Kizan chose the path of war and deceit to protect their interests, ignoring the pain and suffering of millions of Sudanese.
The Sudanese people must continue to demand peace and exert pressure on the parties that oppose it. Sudan deserves to live in safety, free from conflicts that hinder its progress and deprive its citizens of their basic human rights.