Hamdok leads new civilian coalition after Taqaddum split

KHARTOUM – A new civilian coalition, the Civil Democratic Alliance of Revolutionary Forces (Sumoud), has been formed in Sudan following the fracturing of the Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), a prominent opposition bloc that was led by former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok.

The split, announced on Monday, stemmed from deep disagreements over the contentious proposal to establish a government-in-exile. Sumoud brings together a broad spectrum of political parties, professional associations, resistance committees, and civil society figures.

Among the political parties involved are the National Umma Party, Sudanese Congress Party, Sudanese National Alliance, Unionist Gathering, Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party, Sudanese National Party, Unified Unionist Party, Tawasul Party, Nasserist Party, Haq Movement, National Unionist Party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Revolutionary Democratic Stream, and the United Popular Front.

The coalition also includes key professional groups such as the Democratic Lawyers Alliance, Sudanese Teachers’ Committee, Sudanese Journalists’ Union, Sudan Central Doctors’ Committee, Sudanese Engineers’ Gathering, Central Pharmacists’ Committee, and the University Professors’ Gathering.

Resistance committees from various regions, including Kalakla and South Khartoum, Dar Al-Salam, Omdurman, Rabak City, Omdurman neighborhoods, and Gedaref Municipality, have joined the alliance.

Prominent civil society figures aligned with Sumoud include Bakri Al-Jack, Saleh Ammar, Shawqi Yaqoub, Asmaa Ahmed Al-Naeem, Madani Abbas Madani, Al-Tayeb Al-Malkabi, and Nada Osama Al-Sulhi.

The coalition also features representation from specialized categories, with figures such as Azhari Mohamed Ali (Artists), Malik Al-Hassan Abu Rouf (Traditional Leadership), Hafez Dousa (Business Community), Major General Magzoub Rahma (Central High Command for Retired Army, Police, and Security Officers – Tadamun), and Mohamed Al-Muayyed (People with Disabilities).

In a statement released on Tuesday, Sumoud rejected the idea of forming a government-in-exile, opting instead to focus on building a broad democratic front within Sudan to address the ongoing conflict.

The coalition emphasized its commitment to maintaining an independent stance, refusing to align with either side in the war. Its priorities include protecting civilians, addressing human rights violations, and advocating for a political solution to the crisis.

“We firmly believe that democratic civil forces must maintain an independent path, refrain from siding with any party in the war, and avoid any involvement in it. Our mission is to oppose any actions or rhetoric that threaten Sudan’s unity or tear apart its social fabric, while tirelessly working to protect civilians, confront human rights violations, address the humanitarian crisis, and push for an urgent end to the war through a political solution that addresses the root causes of the crisis and leads to the establishment of the Sudanese state with sustainable and just peace,” it said.

 

The split within Taqaddum, previously led by former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, underscores deep strategic divisions within Sudan’s civilian opposition. Taqaddum had been debating for months whether to form a government-in-exile, with proponents arguing it would delegitimize the military junta ruling from Port Sudan.

However, the proposal sparked intense internal disagreements, culminating in the coalition’s formal dissolution.

Sumoud, which now comprises a significant portion of Taqaddum’s former members, has unequivocally ruled out the government-in-exile approach. The coalition stated that it remains committed to the principles and objectives agreed upon during Taqaddum’s founding conference.

Dr. Abdalla Hamdok will temporarily lead Sumoud until permanent structures are established following further organizational discussions. The formation of the new coalition marks a significant shift in Sudan’s political landscape, reflecting a clear divergence in tactics within the civilian opposition.

“We reaffirm that Sumoud remains committed to the principles and objectives agreed upon in the founding conference of ‘Taqaddum.’ In this context, we have agreed to operate under temporary structures led by Dr. Abdalla Hamdok until permanent structures are adopted following necessary organizational discussions,” the statement said.