Hamdok Warns of Sudan's Disintegration as War Escalates
Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has issued a stark warning about the future of Sudan, cautioning that continued warfare could lead to the country's fragmentation.
Speaking at the International Conference on Social Cohesion in Kampala on Wednesday, Hamdok stressed the futility of a military solution and called for urgent dialogue to halt the conflict.
The conference, held from May 17 to 21 in Uganda's capital, gathered over 60 Sudanese figures to address the rising tide of hate speech and its threat to national unity.
Hamdok used the platform to unveil plans for a National Center to Combat Hate Speech, aimed at monitoring incitement, holding perpetrators accountable, and promoting peaceful coexistence.
He warned that Sudan is at risk of descending into chaos unless warring factions prioritize peace. 'With increasing mobilization and fragmentation, the risk of collapse looms from every direction,' he said, urging both sides to take immediate steps to end the bloodshed.
Hamdok, who led Sudan's transitional government following the 2019 uprising that toppled the former regime, described the country's current state as 'critical and fragile.'
He noted that the war has triggered severe social, political, and economic shifts, extending beyond the battlefield to manifest in exclusion, abuse, and the spread of violence and marginalization.
'The conflict has morphed from killing and displacement into deeper social wounds -acts of cruelty, exclusion, incitement, and horrific crimes,' he said. He stressed that these developments threaten the very fabric of Sudanese society.
Hamdok also raised alarm over the sharp rise in hate speech and what he called 'new forms of social discrimination' based on ethnicity, gender, color, and geography. He stressed that Sudan's diversity should be a source of strength, not division.
'Our diversity is one of our greatest assets,' he said. 'But unity can only be achieved through social peace and strengthened ties across religious, ethnic, and regional lines.'
Calling on religious leaders, tribal elders, youth, intellectuals, artists, and women, Hamdok urged a united front to restore peaceful coexistence and resist the spread of hatred.
He pledged to work with communities affected by divisive rhetoric and announced the launch of media campaigns to criminalize hate speech and promote national solidarity.
'The media landscape has become saturated with messages inciting violence and discrimination. No region has been spared,' Hamdok warned. 'We must dismantle the platforms of hate and build a culture of mutual respect.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
The Invisible Enemy in the Sudan War
Sudan's new Prime Minister, Dr. Kamel Idris, faces formidable challenges as he navigates the most complex and critical moment in the country's history. Sudan has been ravaged by a devastating war, its economy has been enfeebled, its infrastructure is crumbling, its institutions are decaying, and its resilient population is suffering. In his inaugural address after being sworn in, Prime Minister Idris acknowledged the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders and promised to realize the vision that he laid out in the two books and presented publicly on camera. While the government has a long agenda. Its gravest challenges may not be its visible tasks, though they are many. An 'invisible enemy' that has been hollowing out the state from within for years: is corruption. Although corruption has long weighed on this wounded nation, it has acquired new and more dangerous dimensions during the war. Indeed, in times of conflict, state institutions are weakened, effective oversight disappears, and individuals exploit dire security and economic conditions to abuse their power and loot both public and private resources. Since the war began, numerous accounts of rampant corruption have surfaced everywhere: from humanitarian aid and government appointments to public funds and even the moral fabric of society. These are not merely rumors. Officials have publicly addressed the issue. Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has criticized fraud in the civil service and nepotism, while Vice President of the Sovereignty Council Malik Agar acknowledged that corruption had been deeply entrenched. The reality is that corruption in Sudan is no longer a problem of isolated incidents or the product of individual misconduct; it has become a 'way of life.' Not only does it harm the economy, it also presents an existential threat to the state. That is why Sudan today needs to wage a serious and relentless battle against corruption, going beyond statement and rhetoric to deliver results through structural reforms of state institutions. Fighting corruption under these conditions is not just a demand of the masses or institutional idealism; it is a national imperative- a requisite for reform, reconstruction, attracting investment, and rebuilding trust between the government and its citizens. Clear political determination is not enough. Sudan needs a fully-fledged campaign armed with effective tools and actionable plans. Where Do We Begin? The government of Dr. Kamel Idris can take different approaches to open horizons in the fight against corruption. To succeed, it will need the full backing of all other state actors. Among the steps the state can take are: Establishing an independent national anti-corruption commission with real authority. Creating a specialized court for corruption-related crimes that combines efficiency with speed, ensures that cases are not trapped into bureaucratic limbo. Passing a strict financial disclosure and asset declaration law that applies to senior officials and all public sector employees. Expanding the digitization of public services to reduce direct contact and curb bribery, building a single online portal for customs, taxation, procurement, licensing, and more. Launching a nationwide media campaign under the banner of 'Fighting Corruption.' It must raise compelling and relatable slogans that speak directly to the public and are repeated enough times to become catchphrases that resonate even in the halls of government. In parallel with efforts to raise awareness, protecting journalists is essential for allowing them to expose corruption through investigative reporting. A whistleblower protection system must also be established. Reform will remain incomplete before a purge in sensitive posts in the judiciary, police, customs, taxation, ports, and border control. Civil society must also be empowered so that it can contribute to public oversight and help ensure transparency and accountability. There are many successful examples of countries that have tackled corruption through their determination and bold reforms, and they demonstrate that change is possible when there is political will. Take Rwanda, for instance: following the genocide of the 1990s, it was a failed state crippled by violence and corruption. However, it chose the path of reform and reconstruction, adopting a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. It strengthened the Office of the Auditor General, created a dedicated anti-corruption body and specialized courts, and prosecuted high-profile offenders. Another example is Singapore, which had been a poor country with limited resources and rampant corruption until the 1960s. It embarked on a path toward reform and revival, enforcing robust oversight mechanisms and ensuring judicial independence, as well as passing strict anti-corruption laws. It also offered competitive salaries to civil servants and law enforcement officials (in the judiciary, police, customs, and tax agencies) to reduce the temptation of bribes, while simultaneously imposing strict systems of oversight, accountability, and prosecution. If Dr. Kamel Idris's government appeases the corrupt, it will only add to the frustration. However, if it governs like it is the country's "last chance" and receives the support of other officials, this government's tenure could become a turning point for Sudan. However, the battle will not be easy. It requires political courage, a moral revolution, and a conviction that corruption is not inevitable and that this a battle that must be won if Sudan is to recover and rise.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Sudan's collapsing healthcare system a global emergency
Sudan is currently grappling with one of the worst humanitarian and public health crises in the world, as its healthcare system is collapsing under the weight of ongoing civil conflict. The war, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has inflicted immense damage on the country's medical infrastructure. Over the past two years, the violence has destroyed more than 250 hospitals and healthcare facilities, either through direct bombardment or looting. At least 60 percent of pharmacies and medical warehouses have been looted, burned or rendered inoperable. Medical professionals have fled or been killed and those who remain are often targeted or are unable to safely reach their workplaces. Basic medical supplies, electricity, clean water and fuel are scarce or nonexistent in many parts of the country. The breakdown of health services has not only left millions without access to essential care but has also created ideal conditions for deadly disease outbreaks to spread unchecked. Amid this destruction, the World Health Organization and the UN have raised alarms about the spiraling health emergency. Sudan now faces simultaneous outbreaks of cholera, malaria, measles and dengue, diseases that are being exacerbated by the collapse of sanitation systems, unsafe water sources and overcrowded refugee camps. More than 20 million people — almost half the country's population — are in urgent need of medical care. Immunization campaigns have been halted and the absence of preventive medicine has led to the rapid reemergence of diseases once under control. The WHO has recorded at least 156 attacks on healthcare workers and facilities since the war began and these attacks continue to impede even the most basic humanitarian responses. The UN has called Sudan one of the world's largest and most-neglected emergencies, noting that more than 12.4 million people have been displaced and famine is either present or imminent in several areas. Children are especially vulnerable: millions face severe malnutrition, lack access to medical care and are increasingly at risk of exploitation, trafficking and death. If this crisis continues without immediate intervention, Sudan faces an impending humanitarian catastrophe that will have devastating consequences for its people for generations to come. The complete collapse of the healthcare system means that diseases will spread without resistance, maternal and infant mortality will surge and chronic illnesses will go untreated. With hospitals destroyed and doctors in hiding or exiled, even the simplest medical emergencies can become fatal. With hospitals destroyed and doctors in hiding or exiled, even the simplest medical emergencies can become fatal Dr. Majid Rafizadeh The loss of educational and training institutions also means that rebuilding the health sector will take decades, even under optimal conditions. Famine, disease and the psychological trauma of war are already corroding the foundations of society, deepening poverty and dismantling any remaining trust in institutions. If the fighting persists, the country could be left with an entire generation deprived not only of healthcare, but of security, education and hope. The consequences of the collapse of Sudan's healthcare system will not remain contained within its borders. The conflict has already displaced more than 3.3 million people into neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic. These nations, already burdened with fragile health systems and limited resources, are now under immense strain as they attempt to care for large numbers of malnourished and sick refugees. Infectious diseases like cholera, which thrive in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, pose a serious threat to regional public health. The breakdown in immunization coverage could result in the cross-border spread of measles and polio, undermining years of health progress in the region. Moreover, the protracted instability in Sudan risks destabilizing the entire Horn of Africa, a region already vulnerable to political fragmentation, insurgency and environmental stress. The global implications of Sudan's health emergency are equally urgent. The ongoing collapse of Sudan's health system and the humanitarian vacuum it creates serve as a dire warning about the fragility of global health security. As we have seen with past pandemics and regional crises, diseases that emerge or expand in one part of the world can quickly spread beyond borders, especially when response efforts are delayed or under-resourced. Moreover, the normalization of attacks on healthcare workers and facilities during armed conflict threatens the sanctity of international humanitarian law. If such violations continue with impunity in Sudan, they could set a precedent for future conflicts, eroding the principles that protect civilians and aid workers globally. The lack of a coordinated international response not only reflects a failure of political will, it also undermines collective commitments to global health and human rights. What is urgently needed is a decisive, coordinated and sustained international response. The first and most pressing step is the implementation of an immediate ceasefire. This would allow for the safe establishment of humanitarian and health corridors — zones where aid organizations can deliver medical supplies, provide vaccinations and treat the wounded without threat of violence. These corridors are essential for saving lives in the short term, especially in regions that have been cut off from aid for months. The UN, the WHO, Doctors Without Borders and other agencies require not only funding but also guaranteed security to operate effectively. Immediate airlifts of medicine, surgical equipment, vaccines and food must be prioritized. Equally important is the political pressure on both warring factions to cease attacks on healthcare infrastructure, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Beyond these urgent interventions, the international community must work in collaboration with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and key regional actors to forge a pathway toward a permanent ceasefire and political resolution. This includes building upon the Jeddah Declaration, which was signed in May 2023 under the auspices of the US and Saudi Arabia. The declaration outlined commitments by both warring parties to protect civilians, allow humanitarian access and refrain from targeting civilian infrastructure. Though the declaration has largely been violated, it remains one of the few frameworks for negotiation that has gained international recognition. Revitalizing the Jeddah process, expanding the number of mediating parties and ensuring local community representation are vital steps toward lasting peace. Without a stable political solution, humanitarian aid alone will never be sufficient. In conclusion, Sudan's health crisis has reached a catastrophic stage and the situation demands the world's immediate and undivided attention. The country's healthcare system is not merely under stress — it is actively disintegrating. Millions are at risk of dying not only from bullets and bombs but from preventable diseases and starvation. The consequences of inaction will reverberate far beyond Sudan's borders, threatening regional health, stability and security. The international community must act now — decisively and urgently — to implement a ceasefire, open health corridors and reengage in meaningful diplomacy. Failure to do so will not only doom millions in Sudan but will mark yet another tragic instance of global neglect in the face of a preventable disaster. • Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh
Al Arabiya
12 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
US, UN, UAE urge Sudan to respect humanitarian law after aid workers killed
The United States, United Arab Emirates and other key players on Wednesday urged Sudan's warring sides to respect humanitarian law after five aid workers were killed in besieged al-Fasher. A joint statement — also including the United Nations, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the African Union and Switzerland — said the group 'urgently reiterates that international humanitarian law must be fully respected.' 'Attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, including humanitarian personnel and assets, are serious violations of international humanitarian law,' said the statement issued by the US State Department. UN Secretary-General António Guterres had on Tuesday urged a probe into the attack on the convoy organized by the World Food Programme and UNICEF. The UN agencies did not specify who was behind the assault, which took place in an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been at war with the regular army since April 2023. More than four million people have died in the war.
