Creation of a New Unit Attached to Kamel Idriss’s Office, Affiliated with the “Al-Baraa” Militia
By: Special Correspondence – Charilogone Editorial TeamSudan’s de facto Prime Minister, backed by the military, Kamel Idriss, has recently made a controversial decision to establish a new unit dedicated to youth affairs, directly attached to his office. According to information obtained from local sources in Port Sudan, this unit aims to ensure increased participation from the so-called “National Support Battalion,” affiliated with the Al-Baraa Ibn Malik group, the armed wing of the Islamic movement. This initiative comes shortly after the leader of this militia announced his withdrawal from military activities to focus on what he described as civil work.
Sources indicate that this unit serves as a new front to reinforce Islamist control over the civil sector, preventing youth from reclaiming leadership in civil initiatives and countering popular movements opposing General Burhan’s coup. This strategy unfolds amid the gradual return of displaced citizens and refugees, and seeks to control resources and programs related to civil work. It also aims to neutralize coordination groups born from the popular uprising against the Islamist regime, restrict youth activism, and hinder connections between civilians and protest movements.
Furthermore, this measure would allow the militia to take charge of reconstruction activities and the management of “tekayas” (food distribution centers), following the military governor of Khartoum’s decision to prohibit their operation without prior authorization. The integration of the militia into government structures comes after it reportedly received substantial funding—estimated at $300 million—from the Islamist organization to dominate the civil sector, particularly in Khartoum State.
In its official justification, Kamel Idriss’s office claims that the unit is intended to enable young people to actively contribute to the development of public policy and provide them with an institutional space to express their visions and initiatives. This approach, according to the government, aligns with its efforts to involve the vibrant forces of society in national decision-making.
This development occurs in a tense climate marked by the death of more than 130 young people during protests against the military coup of October 2021. Demonstrations continued until the outbreak of armed conflict in mid-April, denouncing the return of the Islamist regime and the military’s dominance over civilian institutions.
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