Face of Truth: Let Us Create a Dictator

Ibrahim Shglawi

The elite continue to advocate for democratic transition, yet in the Sudanese context, that no longer seems feasible—not in the way it once was before the war. What we are witnessing today is not just a political deadlock, but the near-total collapse of the very idea of the state. The threat facing the nation is no longer limited to armed conflict or political division; it has evolved into a societal breakdown, a loss of national direction, and a deep erosion of trust between the people and state institutions, which struggle to remain intact amid immense challenges.

In this reality, the call to “create a national dictator” may sound like a violation of political norms. To some, it might seem like a step backward in a world that increasingly values plurality, democracy, and civilian governance.
However, history does not always move forward by ideal intentions. At times, the moment demands a deviation from the straight path—to prevent the entire structure from collapsing.

We are not speaking of a tyrant who oppresses, nor of a military man who seizes power through a coup, but of a central, powerful leadership with a clear vision, defined powers, a set timeframe, and a unifying national project. A leader who enforces the law, restores security, unites the divided, and lays the foundation for long-term stability and democratic transition.

Even the philosophers who crafted theories of liberty and the social contract acknowledged the necessity of power in moments of existential threat. Jean-Jacques Rousseau once wrote: “It may sometimes be necessary to entrust power to a single person when the safety of the people is at risk.”
This is exactly our predicament: an existential threat that calls for exceptional leadership—not fragmented administrations or fragile coalitions. What we need is a single, courageous authority grounded in the logic of rescue and wisdom—not in party politics and short-term compromises.

Around the world, there are inspiring precedents for this idea that do not lead to blind authoritarianism. Take Singapore in the 1960s: a small, fragile country, wracked by ethnic conflict and lacking natural resources. It could have easily descended into chaos had it not been for one man—Lee Kuan Yew.
Yes, he ruled with a firm hand, but he carried a clear national vision to build a functioning state.
He drafted a plan, identified the enemies of progress—corruption, negligence, and division—and established modern institutions. He prioritized education, meritocracy, and efficiency. Years later, Singapore became synonymous with economic miracles, administrative discipline, and national unity—despite having started in conditions similar to those we face today.

We are not asked to copy this model exactly, but to draw inspiration from its spirit. We need a leader of this kind: patriotic, rational, bold, one who enforces the law with justice and is unafraid to act decisively. A leader who will govern for three years—no more—during which he lays the groundwork for a strong state, then steps aside without applause or glorification, but with the people’s respect and historical acknowledgment.

From day one, mechanisms of accountability must be built, alongside clear safeguards and a detailed roadmap for transition—so we do not fall back into the swamp of “I show you only what I see.”

Some might ask: isn’t this already being done by the Sovereignty Council or current military leadership?
The truth is, what we see today is a collective leadership that has, despite immense challenges, preserved the bare minimum of statehood in the face of a war that sought to erase Sudan politically, geographically, and socially. That alone is no small feat.
But what this leadership now needs is full support to establish a firm security grip and formulate a clear, comprehensive national project—one driven by political will, not reactive measures. A project that speaks to the internal crisis before external stakeholders.

Here, I specifically refer to the current Head of State, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. If fate has placed this historical responsibility upon his shoulders, then we address him not as a military officer, but as a national figure.
We say: if you wish to lead, be a project, not just a person. History is not made by those who attain power, but by those who know how and when to use it—and when to let it go.
Sudan does not need someone to rule it; it needs someone to lead it. Not someone who prolongs the crisis, but someone who shortens its pain. Be a dictator if necessary—but in the sense understood by Lee Kuan Yew, not as practiced by the despots of our past.
Rule with courage, not cruelty. Strike corruption, not dissent. Be a bridge, not a wall.

And when the three years end, don’t wait for people to demand your departure—surprise them by stepping down willingly.
That single act will immortalize your name—not in the ledgers of power, but in the conscience of the nation and the pages of history.

In #Face_of_Truth, we are not promoting dictatorship. We are simply naming things for what they are: our country is going through a stage that requires a grip that holds without crushing, a mind that builds without revenge, and a leader who speaks the language of duty—not personal glory.
Yes, this is a bitter proposal through the lens of liberty—but it may be the final remedy before our political death, from which there will be no heir but lamentation over a homeland without a project.

So let us create him—a national dictator, for just three years. To place us firmly on the threshold of the state we deserve.

Wishing you all well and in good health,
Tuesday, July 23, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com