Lt. General Shams al-Din Kabbashi’s Betrayal of Sudan’s Hope for Peace

Going out of my comfort zone, I have delved into the situation in Sudan much deeper than I had thought I wanted.  What I found was disturbing. We know that Sudan is involved in a brutal civil war, and we know that millions are starving and dying as a result.  Most people might not care, but Sudan is central to many issues in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and yes, even the United States.

Whether it is its gold mines, uranium, iron, or even sesame seeds and items like gum Arabic that is found in products like Coca-Cola and M&M’s and tens of thousands of basic items we all use. Sudan is key to the Western world, and the civil war is causing problems. Yet, beyond commerce and critical rare earths, there is Sudan’s strategic location. There is a war going on beyond Sudan’s internal strife – it is for control of a critical base in the Red Sea; Russia wants it, Iran wants it and they are both willing to promise everything (and likely lie and deliver nothing) to control it. One faction wants the United States to have it and even suggested that Israel could too, but that is mired in the sanctions and lack of any real direct talks between the countries right now. Control of that base could mean the dominance of ideology, trade, economy, and more frighteningly, weaponry and terrorist support to continue oppressing the region indefinitely.

With all of that at stake, there is a disturbing situation brewing that could mean the difference between Sudan falling to radical forces that are opposed to the West and Sudan being a savior for the world, providing peace and stability for its own people and the broader global community. In the turbulent political landscape of Sudan, where promises of stability and peace are often overshadowed by power struggles and hidden agendas, pay attention to the movements of Lieutenant General Shams al-Din Kabbashi. He has emerged as a pivotal figure whose actions defy the facade of moderation and reform he presents to the world.

As a member of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sudan’s Armed Forces, Kabbashi has positioned himself as a centrist leader advocating for peace and international cooperation. Yet, beneath this carefully crafted image lies a stark reality: Kabbashi’s true intentions seem to be far more sinister, aimed at undermining moderate forces and steering Sudan towards a hardline Islamic regime.

Kabbashi’s rise to prominence began in the aftermath of Sudan’s 2019 ousting of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir, where he assumed a public role as the face of the military transition. This transition, initially seen as a beacon of hope for democracy and civilian rule, has since faltered under the military’s grip, with Kabbashi playing a key role in shaping the country’s trajectory.

Presenting himself as a moderate figure committed to national reconciliation, Kabbashi has consistently engaged in diplomatic maneuvers to gain international support and legitimacy. His interactions with global powers such as Israel, the United States, UAE, and the EU have been characterized by promises of peace and cooperation, purportedly aimed at stabilizing Sudan’s fragile political landscape. However, these gestures mask a deeper agenda rooted in consolidating power and advancing Islamist interests.

Kabbashi’s duplicitous nature is perhaps best exemplified by his contradictory actions on the international stage. On the one hand, he pledges to halt Sudan’s internal conflicts and offers economic incentives such as promising gold to the UAE—a move seemingly aimed at garnering financial support and geopolitical favor. On the other hand, behind closed doors, he seeks Turkish intelligence backing, maybe for a potential coup, betraying his purported commitment to democratic governance and civilian rule.

Moreover, Kabbashi’s affiliation with the Sudanese Islamic Movement—a group with ties to Islamist ideologies—reveals his underlying agenda to reshape Sudan’s political landscape in favor of conservative Islamic principles. His promise to annul Sudan’s participation in the Abraham Accords, a significant diplomatic achievement aimed at normalizing relations with Israel, underscores his willingness to discard international agreements for ideological gains.

Further complicating Kabbashi’s agenda are his connections within Sudan’s military and intelligence apparatus. General Salah Abdallah “Gosh,” a former general manager of Sudan’s intelligence service with ties to the United States, has openly supported Kabbashi’s bid for power. Their clandestine meetings with former colleagues in Cairo’s Nasr City indicate a concerted effort to consolidate military support and influence, undermining civilian-led initiatives in favor of a military-dominated regime under Kabbashi’s leadership.

In Sudan, where decades of authoritarian rule under al-Bashir have left a legacy of civil unrest and economic hardship, Kabbashi’s actions represent a betrayal of the democratic aspirations that fueled the 2019 revolution. Despite initial promises of a transitional government leading to civilian rule, Kabbashi’s maneuvers suggest a regression towards military control, with Islamist influences at the helm—a prospect that threatens to plunge Sudan back into the cycles of repression and instability it sought to escape.

Lieutenant General Shams al-Din Kabbashi’s journey from military spokesman to pivotal figure in Sudanese politics has been marked by a calculated deception: presenting himself as a moderate force for peace while actively undermining Sudan’s democratic transition. His alliances with Islamist factions, coupled with his double-dealing diplomacy and military maneuvers, paint a troubling picture of Sudan’s future under his influence. As Sudanese citizens continue to demand genuine reform and civilian governance, Kabbashi’s true intentions serve as a stark reminder of the nation’s enduring challenges on its path to democracy and stability.