Canadian Newspaper Reveals $2.5 Million in Funding for Hamdok’s Sumoud Alliance as Sudanese Diaspora Groups Question Its Claim to Represent the Sudanese People Over Alleged UAE Ties An article published by Canada’s The Globe and Mail, written by Africa Bureau Chief Geoffrey York, has highlighted former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s visit to Ottawa, where he held talks with Canadian officials and politicians about efforts to end Sudan’s ongoing war. Hamdok told the newspaper that he had received a “very good commitment” from Canada to provide diplomatic expertise in support of a political peace process, citing the country’s previous involvement in peace initiatives, including Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement. Despite the continuing conflict, Hamdok maintained that peace remains possible, describing the fighting as a “war of attrition” and stating: “I don’t see any outright victory for any side. There’s no military solution.” The article revealed that Canada has provided approximately $2.5 million to Hamdok’s Sumoud alliance since early 2024, according to John Babcock, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada. Babcock said Canada welcomed the alliance’s efforts to work toward establishing a civilian government after the war. The newspaper also reported that Hamdok planned to travel to Ethiopia following his Ottawa visit for discussions between the Quintet, an international diplomatic grouping that includes the African Union and the European Union, and a coalition of Sudanese civilian and political groups that includes Sumoud. Significantly, The Globe and Mail highlighted concerns raised by members of the Sudanese diaspora, including the Sudan Solidarity Collective, a Canada-based organization, who argue that Hamdok’s coalition should not be treated as the principal representative of the Sudanese people. These concerns stem partly from the alliance’s alleged connections to the United Arab Emirates, which reports have identified as the largest supplier of weapons to the Rapid Support Militia (Janjaweed). The newspaper noted that the UAE has repeatedly denied supplying weapons to the paramilitary force. Responding to the criticism, Hamdok claimed that the Sudanese army was promoting the narrative about his alliance’s connections to the UAE. He said that only three or four members of the alliance’s leadership lived in the Emirates, while most were based in Egypt. “As refugees, we cannot pick and choose where to live. The UAE is not imposing anything on us,” he told the newspaper. The article also cited Khalid Mustafa Medani, chair of the African Studies Program at Canada’s McGill University, who criticized the limited breadth of Hamdok’s civilian coalition, particularly its inadequate representation of young people and women. “It is still too narrow,” Medani said, urging Canada to encourage a broader civilian alliance. He also argued that Ottawa would be unable to contribute meaningfully to the peace process without formally engaging with the Quintet and appointing a special envoy for Sudan or the Horn of Africa. The newspaper further examined the limitations of Canada’s diplomatic presence in Sudan. Ottawa closed its embassy in Khartoum following the outbreak of war in April 2023 and now manages its diplomatic relations with Sudan through its embassy in Ethiopia. Canada also has no formal affiliation with the Quintet. Nicholas Coghlan, a former senior Canadian diplomat who served in Khartoum, described the Canadian government as “nearly blind in an exceedingly complex, shifting scene” because of its lack of an on-the-ground diplomatic presence. The article noted that a Canadian House of Commons subcommittee, along with dozens of civil society organizations, had called for the appointment of a special envoy for Sudan. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said she had taken note of the recommendation but defended the decision to manage Sudan-related diplomacy from Ethiopia, maintaining that Canada remained actively engaged. Addressing the wider regional situation, Hamdok warned of the growing danger of Sudan’s war destabilizing neighbouring countries. The article referred to accounts suggesting that the Rapid Support Militia has access to drone bases and weapons supplies in Ethiopia, amid escalating tensions involving Ethiopia and Eritrea. Describing the Horn of Africa as one of the continent’s most fragile regions, Hamdok warned of the potential for further regional instability. “Already our house is on fire, and then you see neighbours’ houses also going up in flames,” he said. #Sudan #RSFisTerroristOrganization #UAEKillsSudanesePeople #UAESponsorsTerrorism