Hamdok in Interview with Mashawir: We Urge Quartet States to Designate the Islamic Movement as a Terrorist Organization

Abdalla Hamdok, head of the Civilians’ Democratic Forces Alliance (SUMOOD), said the Quartet’s statement aligns with their vision for ending the war through a political solution, preserving Sudan’s unity, returning to a civilian democratic path, and removing the Muslim Brotherhood from the political scene.

In an exclusive interview with Mashawir, Hamdok called on the Quartet countries to respond to SUMOOD’s appeal to designate Sudan’s Islamic Movement and the National Congress Party as terrorist organizations, arguing that they have become isolated globally. He compared the Muslim Brotherhood’s position to that of al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Commenting on U.S. Treasury sanctions against individuals accused of fueling the conflict in Sudan, Hamdok welcomed “any decision issued by any party against those who ignite the flames of war, obstruct peace efforts, and block humanitarian aid to millions of hungry people in displacement and refugee areas.”

Excerpts from the Interview

You recently met with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Did you sense a shift in the AU’s stance on negotiations to end Sudan’s war?

We cannot say the African Union’s position has been far from the civilian vision. It was, after all, the AU that mediated between civilian forces and the military following the ouster of the Islamist regime, which led to the signing of the Constitutional Declaration that governed until the October 25, 2021 coup.

Since the outbreak of war, the AU, through its institutions and several key member states, has made commendable efforts to stop the fighting and facilitate humanitarian access — all of which align with the civilian forces’ vision.

How do you assess the roadmap presented in the Quartet’s statement for resolving Sudan’s war?

At SUMOOD, we were among the first to welcome the Quartet’s statement. It matched our vision of ending the war through a political solution, safeguarding Sudan’s unity, returning to a democratic civilian path, and excluding the Muslim Brotherhood from the scene. From this standpoint, we reiterate our call for the Quartet to designate Sudan’s Islamic Movement and the National Congress Party as terrorist organizations.

Some observers argue that the Brotherhood has gained popularity during the war through its “Karama War” narrative. Do you agree with this assessment?

Absolutely not. The Brotherhood has become isolated worldwide. Their status has deteriorated significantly since seizing power in 1989, and today they are no better off than al-Qaeda or ISIS.

Even in Sudan, what appears on social media does not reflect the majority’s views. Thousands of Sudanese men and women are imprisoned by the Brotherhood simply for posting calls to stop the war.

What we know for certain is that Sudanese people have never united on anything as they did in rejecting the Brotherhood regime (the Inqaz). The Sudanese overthrew that regime in the glorious December Revolution, and today across villages, towns, and cities, their demand is the same: an immediate end to the war. That is our first and last demand.

Do you believe U.S. Treasury sanctions on Sudanese entities will help in stopping the war?

We welcome any measures by any party against those who fuel the conflict, obstruct peace efforts, and block humanitarian aid from reaching millions of displaced and hungry people.