Sovereignty and Protection of the Sudan Charter

Omar Mohammed Othman
Amid internal conflicts and external factors and interventions that threaten Sudan’s unity and sovereignty, it has become imperative to move beyond traditional debates centred on narrow political disagreements, towards a unifying national vision that defines the red lines that must not be crossed.
From this standpoint, I present the idea and proposal of a Charter for Sovereignty and the Protection of Sudan, as a national framework upon which Sudanese forces of all kinds—military, political, civil, trade unions, social entities, and citizens—can agree in order to protect the state and its people.
It must be emphasised that this Charter is concerned primarily with safeguarding the state itself—its stability and security—rather than with systems of government or internal political details.
The proposal draws on the Charter for the Defence of Democracy (1985). Still, it expands the vision to encompass the protection of Sudan domestically, regionally, and internationally, while preserving sovereignty over resources and ports, protecting national institutions, and activating balanced foreign relations.
First: Unity of Sudanese Territory
Preserving Sudan’s unity is a red line that cannot be compromised. Any attempt to divide the country—whether through secession or autonomous rule—is rejected. Only this unity can guarantee Sudan’s internal stability and its standing in the international arena.
Second: Rejection of Foreign Intervention
The Charter condemns all forms of foreign intervention, direct or indirect, including financing, arming, and the transfer of mercenaries. Any local actor who resorts to external powers to impose a political or military agenda shall be deemed to have forfeited national legitimacy and shall be subject to legal accountability.
Third: Protection of the Armed Forces and Regular Forces
The proposal affirms the right of the armed forces and other regular forces to obtain legitimate support and armament, ensuring their ability to defend the homeland and protect citizens, while preventing harmful external influence.
Fourth: Protection and Independence of National Institutions
The Charter stresses the independence of national institutions, including the army, police, intelligence services, judiciary, public prosecution, and civil service. It affirms their national development after the end of the war, free from any external dictates, to ensure the continued performance of the state’s vital functions.
Fifth: Sovereignty over Resources and Ports
All natural resources—oil, gold, agriculture, and Red Sea ports—are the exclusive property of the people. They must not be relinquished or subjected to concession contracts during times of conflict or in the absence of parliamentary legitimacy. This safeguards economic security and prevents Sudan from being exploited as a tool in regional or international conflicts.
Sixth: Balanced Foreign Relations and Support for National Peace
The Charter calls for the establishment of balanced relations with states that support Sudan, foremost among them Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, Qatar, and Türkiye. It also emphasises activating the joint defence agreement with Egypt to enhance border security and protect vital interests. Furthermore, it supports national negotiations to achieve sustainable peace in line with the Sudanese national initiative, with all Sudanese forces participating in shaping the final agreement to preserve territorial unity and state sovereignty.
Seventh: Defence of the Homeland, Protection of the Constitution, and Safeguarding National Gains
Defending the homeland and upholding the Constitution are sacred duties incumbent upon every citizen. The Charter includes an oath of loyalty to the nation to be taken by school pupils or upon obtaining the national identification number, in order to strengthen the spirit of citizenship and belonging, instil values of responsibility towards the homeland and its unity, and contribute to building a generation committed to serving its country.
Eighth: Supremacy of the Rule of Law
The law and the constitution are above all. Any entity or individual that violates them must be held accountable. All political and military decisions must fall within the framework of national constitutional legitimacy, thereby reinforcing the protection of sovereignty and the stability of the state.
Ninth: Mechanisms for Activation and Implementation
These include popular endorsement, the establishment of an international legal committee to document interventions, adoption of the Charter as a reference for any negotiations, media campaigns for public awareness, and national accountability mechanisms to ensure respect for the red lines.
The Core Message
The Sovereignty Charter constitutes a national bulwark that prevents Sudan from being turned into a diminished, stripped of sovereignty, or fragmented state. It makes any external intervention extremely costly in the face of the will of the people and the awareness of unified national forces. It also guarantees the protection of state institutions, territorial unity, sovereignty over resources and ports, the rule of law, and balanced foreign relations that serve national interests.
This proposal is an open idea for discussion and mass endorsement by all Sudanese forces. It remains subject to debate, amendment, and development to ensure a precise response to Sudan’s changing realities and the urgent need to unify the national vision.

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