Sudan’s Agar Urges Expansion of Pro-Army Democratic Block Alliance

Port Sudan, April 26, 2026 - Sudan’s Sovereign Council Deputy Chairman Malik Agar has called for the expansion of the pro-government Democratic Block alliance, urging the inclusion of additional political parties and armed groups to broaden its national representation. Speaking at the third organizational meeting of the Forces for Freedom and Change - Democratic Block in Port Sudan, Agar said the alliance should significantly increase its membership base, aiming to represent up to half or even two-thirds of Sudan’s political forces. He stated that strengthening the bloc’s political reach would help demonstrate, both domestically and internationally, that the current political trajectory supported by the government and its allies represents the most viable path forward for the country. Agar noted that the Democratic Block currently includes 19 parties and armed movements out of a total of 117 registered political and armed entities in Sudan. He emphasized that while these groups may differ in their agendas, they are united by a shared commitment to national unity. The alliance brings together several pro-government factions, including armed movements that have aligned with the army in its conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), among them the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, the Sudan Liberation Movement, and the Justice and Equality Movement. The Sovereign Council deputy chairman reaffirmed support for democratic governance but criticized the adoption of foreign political models, arguing that systems such as those based on Western parliamentary frameworks are not suitable for Sudan’s social and economic realities. He pointed to the needs of rural populations, including pastoralists requiring veterinary services and farmers relying on traditional agricultural tools, arguing that democracy should be measured by its ability to improve living conditions rather than by imported institutional models. Agar also accused some political actors of exploiting democratic rhetoric for personal gain, claiming that political principles are often invoked selectively once individuals gain positions of power. He reiterated his opposition to continued reliance on armed conflict, stating that weapons cannot serve as a foundation for democratic governance. While acknowledging past peace agreements as mechanisms for resolving national crises, he warned that the increasing proliferation of arms across the country requires urgent attention and regulation.