Face of Truth: Amin’s Discussion and the Islamists’ Strategy?!

Ibrahim Shiglawi

In the Sudanese political scene, phases of conflict intertwine with moments of consensus, forming a complex tapestry of intertwined challenges. The Islamic political thought in Sudan, as reflected by the Islamic movement, is characterized by a comprehensive perspective that seeks to integrate religion and politics within the framework of achieving public interest. In this context, the National Congress Party emerges as a key player attempting to restore its role by proposing new strategies that transcend intellectual stagnation and align with current transformations. This proposition aims to address Sudan’s crisis through a comprehensive national reconciliation, not only to resolve political disagreements but also to establish a national project based on a forward-looking vision that ensures the unity and stability of the country.

In this article, we attempt to discuss this matter starting from Dr. Amin Hassan Omar’s discussion on a podcast last week with Al-Tahir Al-Tom. Amin, one of the prominent Islamic leaders, presented a new vision for the political organization of the National Congress Party in light of the current challenges. He highlighted the necessity of abandoning the traditional party model based on a closed hierarchical structure, advocating instead for the adoption of “flexible organizational networks.” According to this proposition, organizational structures would become more dynamic and responsive to political and social transformations, enhancing the party’s ability to adapt to developments and resist targeting by its opponents.

Amin’s vision reflects a deep understanding of the need to move beyond the stagnation that has plagued traditional parties and to open new horizons for political coalitions based on horizontal integration instead of vertical dependency. This new approach, which he described as “adaptive efficiency,” demonstrates the party’s ability to learn from past experiences and transform them into tools for rebuilding public and organizational trust. Historically, Islamists have proven their political maneuvering skills and ability to form alliances with various forces to achieve strategic goals. The National Congress Party’s experience with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, culminating in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, is a vivid example of the party’s ability to transcend ideological differences and negotiate political settlements with its opponents. Although this experience had mixed outcomes, it showcased the Islamists’ potential to build national consensus when political will is present. The party’s flexibility in dealing with regional and international powers also gained it political support during critical periods.

However, successfully reinvesting these experiences in the current phase requires addressing past mistakes, especially those related to unilateral dominance and the lack of inclusion of other forces. The Islamists themselves acknowledged these issues in meetings leaked through Al-Arabiya channel, indicating that they were preparing to rule based on programs rather than individuals. However, the 2019 revolution disrupted their plans for developing the experience after thirty years in power. It appears that the Islamists have now completed their reviews and are beginning to chart a new path toward a comprehensive national project. This project demands steering their strategy towards building broad national coalitions that transcend narrow partisan interests. Such a direction aligns with the current phase the country is experiencing, alongside geopolitical shifts in the Middle East, which have ushered in a new era of engagement with conciliatory political Islam, as seen in the current Syrian experience.

Thus, if alliances are to be discussed, they must be founded on a mutually agreed-upon national project focusing on key issues such as social justice, balanced economic development, and rebuilding state institutions based on efficiency and transparency. In essence, they should rely on a long-term strategic vision that strengthens national unity and addresses regional and international challenges. This creates a favorable opportunity for Islamists, given their long history of adaptability, to re-enter the heart of the political scene, provided they adopt more flexible policies and orientations that are more open and accommodating of surrounding changes.

For these ideas proposed by one of the party’s theorists, Amin Omar, to succeed, organizational renewal is necessary, relying on networked structures that enhance participation and reduce centralization. This could foster a community movement toward accepting the movement’s proposals rather than a movement of elites. It is also important to renew the political discourse by adopting a national discourse that transcends narrow ideologies and focuses on national interests. Additionally, openness to alliances and networking by involving opposition forces in a comprehensive political project addressing core issues such as national identity and sustainable development is crucial. This requires finding common ground with their opponents based on national interests and protecting common goals.

Nonetheless, I anticipate that this proposition will face significant challenges. The first is ensuring leadership unity within the party, which is currently disputed. The second is regaining the trust of the committed Islamic base scattered between memories of the past and the realities of the present. The third is enhancing public trust. It is not enough for the Islamists to align with the military and support the Sudanese in the War of Dignity; they must also lead a comprehensive national discourse far from zero-sum conflicts and the exclusion of opponents. This, in turn, would lead to significant changes in the political and social environment and may help mitigate political tensions among parties while gaining acceptance in the regional environment, which seeks to reduce tensions and conflicts at this stage.

Hence, reconciliation remains an important step to end all conflicts, including armed ones. This would undoubtedly lead to a comprehensive process requiring the reconstruction of the social contract on new foundations that reflect popular aspirations for justice, focusing on overcoming historical grievances and redistributing power and wealth. Thus, the Islamists remain an influential force in Sudanese politics, possessing a good opportunity to adopt a genuine reconciliation project that includes everyone. However, this requires them to shift toward more pragmatic policies centered on national interests.

From the perspective of truth, the success of Islamists in reorganizing their ranks and forming broad national alliances will significantly determine Sudan’s political future. Amid the current transformations, they face a historical responsibility rooted in a national project reflecting Sudan’s political and social diversity. If Islamists can overcome past mistakes and adopt inclusive and flexible strategies, they can play a pivotal role in achieving political, economic, and social stability, ultimately restoring security, peace, and stability for Sudanese citizens.

Best regards,
Thursday, January 2, 2025
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