Controversial Letter Sparks Renewed Tensions among Sudan’s Ruling Partners

Arab World

October 2nd, 6:18am

Khartoum - Ahmed Younis

Atbara train upon its arrival at Khartoum station (SUNA)

Civilian and military figures ruling Sudan returned to exchanging accusations after a leaked letter renewed tensions between the two sides. The controversial letter was sent by the Transitional Sovereignty Council to the Foreign Ministry asking it to invite diplomats to a ceremony acknowledging a new reference authority other than the ruling Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition. Sudanese politicians, officials, and observers were shocked by the letter having the signature of the Council’s secretary-general, Lieutenant-General Mohamed Al-Ghali Ali Youssef. Despite the letter bearing the Council’s official seal, the eleven-member body denied any connection to it. “The memo was sent by the Darfur Governor Minni Minawi to request contacting the Foreign Ministry’s representative to issue invites to missions and regional and international organizations to attend the ceremony,” the Council clarified in a circular. Adding to the confusion, Minawi denied having to do anything with the letter. “I followed with astonishment a circulating letter issued by the Sovereignty Council to diplomatic missions to attend the signing of the (Freedom and Change Charter), and then the Council’s clarification saying the letter came at my request. Although inviting diplomats is normal, I never asked the Council to extend any invitation to missions,” tweeted Minawi. For its part, the FFC coalition slammed the letter as an irresponsible blunder that went against the constitutional document and held Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan directly accountable. In a statement, the FFC said the “invitation exposes Council members backing division.” Also, it accused the Council’s former intelligence and security unit of seeking to create a new political reference in Sudan, other than the FFC. The FFC described the leaked message as part of “a secret coup arrangement, and a dangerous development in conspiracy and targeting the revolution, the transitional government and the country’s political scene.”

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3221716/controversial-letter-sparks-renewed-tensions-among-sudan%E2%80%99s-ruling-partners