Sudan’s National Congress Party Finds a Comeback Amid Civil War Chaos
In the ever-shifting sands of Sudanese politics, the specter of the National Congress Party (NCP) has risen once more. Toppled from power in a 2019 uprising, the NCP, once led by the autocratic Omar al-Bashir, now seeks a route back to influence amid the chaos of Sudan’s civil war. But what does this resurgence mean for the nation’s future and for the people who live in its shadow?
The NCP’s Surreptitious Return
Though officially outlawed, the NCP has worked quietly in the shadows, aligning itself with the Sudanese army in its ongoing conflict against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The stakes are high, and with recent battlefield successes, the NCP sees an opportunity to re-enter the political arena, perhaps through less than conventional means.
A conversation with NCP chair Ahmed Haroun, currently evading justice as an indicted war criminal wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), provides insight. Speaking from an undisclosed location in northern Sudan, Haroun suggested that the military might hold sway long after the dust of war has settled.
“We will return through the ballot box…The Western model isn’t practical here,” he stated, envisioning a military-led transitional period followed by elections.
The Cost of Conflict
Sudan’s civil war, now dragging into its third dark year, has exacted a terrible toll. The United Nations reports tens of thousands dead, and over 10 million displaced. As famine grips various parts of the nation, the human cost is undeniable.
The clash for control sees the RSF holding portions of Darfur and southern Sudan, while the Sudanese army, bolstered by NCP-aligned fighters, claims territories previously lost. A leaked internal document praises the NCP for contributing approximately 3,000 fighters, supporting the military thrust.
Haroun denies commanding troops but affirms the NCP’s vital support to the army. It’s a relationship both parties prefer to downplay publicly, yet shows in the movements on the battlefield.
Inside the Military Dynamics
Military observers credit NCP fighters, particularly the seasoned al-Baraa Ibn Malik brigade, with breaking critical RSF sieges. Commander Owais Ghanim, a man often in the thick of the fray, emphasized they don’t fight for reinstating NCP’s rule but believe in entering the political scene post-war.
“We don’t aim to bring back the old order,” Ghanim said, “but we are prepared for whatever comes next.”
Still, the military, with Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan at the helm, leans on NCP networks for resources. Reports suggest NCP envoys court countries like Iran, Qatar, and Türkiye for weapons supply, even while relations with other nations sour. Cutting ties with the UAE, accusing them of aiding RSF, reveals the labyrinth of alliances and animosities at play.
The Wider Implications
As the NCP claws its way back, looming questions arise. What does this mean for Sudan’s democracy? How will the international community respond to these developments, especially with nations like the United States watching cautiously?
Analysts warn that the resurgence of the NCP might spell doom for Sudan’s democratic dreams, potentially igniting fresh tensions both domestically and abroad.
“We must craft our own path,” Haroun argued. “The military must remain until all dangers are quelled.”
Reflecting on the Future
As the dust settles, we must ask ourselves: Can Sudan truly foster a new model amid old adversaries? What role can emerging political forces play in shaping the future of this embattled nation?
The answers are complex, layered with historical grievances and new ambitions. Yet, the unfolding story of the NCP’s return is only one part of Sudan’s broader narrative—a tapestry of conflict, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.
In a nation where the past often haunts the present, hopes for a democratic Sudan hang precariously in the balance. Can the people look towards a horizon of peace, or will they find themselves trapped once more under the looming shadows of former oppressors?
For now, the world watches—and waits.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
