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Yasir Arman to Asharq Al-Awsat: The Sudanese Brotherhood is Close to Regaining Power

Member of the Central Council of Sudan’s Alliance for Freedom and Change, Yasir Arman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Member of the Central Council of Sudan’s Alliance for Freedom and Change, Yasir Arman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Yasir Arman to Asharq Al-Awsat: The Sudanese Brotherhood is Close to Regaining Power

Member of the Central Council of Sudan’s Alliance for Freedom and Change, Yasir Arman (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Member of the Central Council of Sudan’s Alliance for Freedom and Change, Yasir Arman (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Member of the Central Council of Sudan’s Alliance for Freedom and Change, Yasir Arman, warned against the return of the Sudanese Brotherhood to power.

Arman, who served as political advisor to former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, said in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that the supporters of ousted President Omar al-Bashir were trying to exploit the armed forces as a “Trojan Horse to restore their lost paradise.”

“The former regime is trying to use the armed forces as a protective political shield… to restore its lost paradise,” he said, adding: “The conflict is not between civilians and the military, as some people try to portray it; rather, it is between the Islamic movement regime and the Sudanese people. The Islamists want to use the armed forces against the wishes of the people.”

The Sudanese official explained that more than 35,000 employees of the former regime were currently at the top of the civil service, security services and other bodies.

“This great confusion caused by the remnants of the Bashir regime - who are accusing others of wanting to dismantle the armed forces - is intended to regain power,” he noted.

Arman stressed that the Sudan Alliance for Freedom and Change called for reforming and building the armed forces and the security sector, in accordance with internationally-approved programs, including disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and the withdrawal of Islamists from the regular forces.

“Regional powers must know that the Islamists of the National Congress Party are now at the closest point to seizing power again. Their return will not be at the expense of the Sudanese people alone, but at the expense of the region and the international community as well,” the official warned.

Asked about the Quartet initiative to solve the Sudan crisis, Arman pointed to the need to include regional and international parties that support the transition and the political process.

“Any political process that the people do not approve of is doomed to failure,” he said, adding: “I’m not talking about a settlement; because any solution or political process that overlooks issues that involve impunity… will not work.”

Arman stressed the need to address war crimes, genocide and the causes that led to the secession of South Sudan, in order to redefine a new national project and rebuild the country.

On the possibility of negotiating the removal of the current leaders of the army, he said: “I’m not talking about negotiation; rather, it is about a peaceful transition to a democratic civilian authority that is acceptable to the people, according to a credibly designed process, and not in closed rooms…”

“Tomorrow, the people should not be surprised by a prime minister who has been approved by the army. The process should be carried out with genuine popular participation, drawing on the experiences of many countries that have witnessed a transition to a real democratic civil authority,” the Sudanese official remarked.

Asked whether the participation of the head of the Sovereignty Council in the funeral of the Queen of Britain, and Sudan’s speech at the United Nations, were considered as a new direction for the international community, Arman said: “I cannot speak on behalf of the international community; but what I know is that the international community will not accept you unless your people accept you, and that the main issue is within the country and not with the international community. External painkillers will not be useful in ending the coup crisis.”

Commenting on talks about the rapprochement between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Freedom and Change Alliance, the Sudanese official told Asharq Al-Awsat: “No rapprochement can be achieved at the expense of the armed forces or at the expense of RSF, as both options are wrong. The armed forces will remain the main basis on which the reform of the military and security sector must take place.”

He added: “We don’t want sedition; we want stability for our country. We are not seeking to dismantle the armed forces. This is a big lie.”

Arman emphasized the need to define the difference between the agenda of the revolutionary forces and the political process to overthrow the coup.

“There are important forces, and they may be interested in the democratic transition. Dealing with them needs mechanisms and a different perception. If this does not happen, the forces of the revolution may pay the price of confusing them with the forces of democratic transition,” he explained.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.